The first ionization energy of sodium is 496 kj/mol. the second ionization energy of sodium is 4562 kj/mol. which characteristic of sodium does this data explain?

sodium atoms form cations instead of anions

sodium ions have unbalanced charges

sodium atoms form ions with 1- charges

sodium atoms hardly ever form 2+ ions

Option (4) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

When in a gaseous atom or ion an electron is removed then the energy required for this removal is known as ionization energy.

When one electron is removed from a gaseous atom or ion then it is known as first ionization energy. And, when second electron is removed then it is known as second ionization energy.

Since, the atomic number of sodium is 11 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 1. So, in order to attain stability it loses one electron easily and acquires a +1 charge.

But it is difficult for sodium to lose two electrons as it acquires stability by the loss of just one electron.

Thus, we can conclude that sodium atoms hardly ever form 2+ ions is the characteristic of sodium that this data explains.

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