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Which element has the higher ionization energy; boron or oxygen?

1 Answer

Sep 8, 2016

Well, which has higher atomic number? $B,$ $B,$ $Z = 5$ $Z=5$ ; $O,$ $O,$ $Z = 8$ $Z=8$

Explanation:

We interrogate the process:

$Atom(g) + energy$ $"Atom(g) + energy"$ $\to$ $rarr$ ${Atom}^{+} (g) + electron$ $"Atom"^+(g) + "electron"$

Because oxygen has the higher atomic number, and is in the same Period, I am willing to bet that it has a higher first ionization energy.

See [http://here.](http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/atoms/atpt-images/ionization_energies_20.jpg)

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