JEE Main Chemistry question

The ionisation energy of nitrogen is larger than that of oxygen because of

(A)Of greater attraction of electrons by the nucleus
(B)Of the size of nitrogen atom being smaller
(C)The half-filled -orbitals possess extra stabilityCorrect
(D)Of greater penetration effect

Answer: (C)

Solution

Nitrogen's configuration has three unpaired electrons spread across all three -orbitals, an arrangement of special (exchange-energy) stability that resists electron removal, making its ionisation energy exceed oxygen's

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Question ID VK-133258