Is it more difficult to remove a valence electron from a Magnesium (Mg) atom or a Chlorine (Cl) atom

Chlorine(Cl) is the more difficult to remove a valence electron from which is

because it needs one electron to achieve a stable octet configuration.

Magnesium (Mg) is an element which has an atomic number of 12. The

electronic configuration is 2, 8, 2. This means it has to lose its  2 valence

electrons needed to attain a stable octet configuration.

Chlorine (Cl) is an element which has an atomic number of 17. The electronic

configuration is 2, 8, 7. This means it has to gain one valence electrons

needed to attain a stable octet configuration.

Thus it is more difficult to remove a valence electron from a Chlorine (Cl)

atom than Magnesium atom.

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 It is more difficult to remove a valence electron from a Chlorine (Cl) atom

Explanation:

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove the valence electron from an isolated gaseous atom.

Magnesium (Mg) is the 12th element of periodic table and has an atomic number of 12. The electronic configuration is 2, 8, 2. It can easily lose its valence 2 electrons to attain stable configuration.

Chlorine (Cl) is the 17th element of periodic table and has an atomic number of 17. The electronic configuration is 2, 8, 7. It has a tendency to gain electron to attain stable configuration. It cannot lose its valence electron easily as the valence electrons experience more nuclear charge.

Thus it is more difficult to remove a valence electron from a Chlorine (Cl) atom