Which has a higher ionization energy: chlorine (CI) or magnesium (Mg)? Why? Select the best answer. (1 point)

Question

Mg; it takes more energy to pull two electrons away from magnesium (Mg) than it does to take them from chlorine(CI).
Mg; magnesium has more valence electrons than chlorine.
Cl; it takes much more energy to pull an electron away from a valence shell that is nearly full.
Cl; it takes less energy to add an electron to a valence shell that is nearly full.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

Cl; it takes much more energy to pull an electron away from a valence shell that is nearly full.

Chlorine (Cl) has a higher ionization energy compared to magnesium (Mg) because Cl is closer to having a full valence shell (8 electrons) and removing an electron from a nearly full shell requires more energy. On the other hand, magnesium has a greater tendency to lose its two valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, which is why its ionization energy is lower than that of chlorine.