Question

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

Mg; magnesium has more valence electrons than chlorine.
Mg; magnesium has more valence electrons than chlorine.

Cl; it takes less energy to add an electron to a valence shell that is nearly full.
Cl; it takes less energy to add an electron to a valence shell that is nearly full.

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

Mg; it takes more energy to pull two electrons away from magnesium(Mg) than it does to take them from chlorine(Cl).

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:

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

**Explanation:** Chlorine (Cl) has a higher ionization energy than magnesium (Mg) because chlorine has seven valence electrons and is close to achieving a full octet. Removing an electron from chlorine requires significantly more energy compared to magnesium, which has two valence electrons and is further from having a full outer shell. As a result, it is easier to remove an electron from magnesium than from chlorine.