Compare the first ionization energy of helium to its second...

Compare the first ionization energy of helium to its second ionization energy, remembering that both electrons come from the $1 s$ orbital. Explain the difference without using actual numbers from the text.

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Key Concepts

Electron Shielding and Repulsion Effects

Electron shielding and repulsion refer to the influence that other electrons exert in reducing the full attractive force of the nucleus on a given electron. In the context of sequential ionization, once the first electron is removed, there is less electron-electron repulsion for the remaining electron, and hence it is held more tightly by the nucleus, contributing to a higher energy requirement for the second ionization.

Ionization Energy

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion in its gaseous state. It serves as a measure of how strongly an electron is bound to the nucleus, and it generally increases as the electron is removed from an atom that is already positively charged.

Effective Nuclear Charge

Effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge experienced by an electron in an atom, taking into account both the actual nuclear charge and the shielding effects of other electrons. When an electron is removed, the remaining electrons experience a higher effective nuclear charge, making them more tightly bound to the nucleus.

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