The correct order of second ionization potential of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine is
Correct answer: B. O > N > F > C
- A. C > N > O > F
- B. O > N > F > C
- C. O > F > N > C
- D. F > O > N > C
Explanation
The second ionization potential depends on the electron configuration stability after the first electron is removed. Oxygen, upon losing one electron, achieves a stable half-filled p subshell, giving it a high second ionization potential. Nitrogen follows due to the stability of its half-filled p subshell, making its second ionization potential lower than oxygen but higher than fluorine. Fluorine, though electronegative, does not achieve as stable a configuration as oxygen or nitrogen after the first ionization. Carbon has the lowest second ionization potential as it lacks the stability provided by half-filled or fully-filled subshells.
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About Periodic Properties and Trends
Periodic properties arise from electron configuration and effective nuclear charge, producing trends in atomic and ionic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, metallic character and reactivity. Comparisons run across periods and down groups, with attention to common exceptions. The topic also relates these trends to the behavior of s-block and p-block elements.
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