Question

Which ionization process requires the most energy?

A) Removing an electron from a neutral atom
B) Removing a second electron from a positively charged ion
C) Removing an electron from a negatively charged ion
D) Removing an electron from an atom with a full outer electron shell

Answer 1

Removing an electron from a neutral atom requires the most energy due to the strong electrostatic attraction between the electron and the nucleus.

Step-by-step explanation:

Removing an electron from a neutral atom requires the most energy. This is because the positive charge of the nucleus attracts the negatively charged electrons. When an electron is removed from a neutral atom, there is a strong electrostatic attraction between the electron and the nucleus. This attraction requires a significant amount of energy to overcome.