Chemistry: The Molecular Science (5th Edition)

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285199049
ISBN 13: 978-1-28519-904-7

Chapter 5 - Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table - Questions for Review and Thought - Applying Concepts - Page 240f: 121b

Answer

Full Subshell

Work Step by Step

Through losing an electron, all of Aluminum's subshells are full. This is a stable state, and since Magnesium does not have a full subshell when it loses an electron, Aluminum's first ionization energy is lower.
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