MadSci Network: Chemistry |
In general, two electrons in a valence shell with paired electron spins are a more stable (lower energy) arrangement than a single unpaired electron. [Check out the topic of electron spin in Quantum Theory chapters of General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or Physics texts.] So this phenomenon would explain what you have learned about the 3rd and 4th ionization energies of sulfur. To answer the question about the 6th ionization energy of sulfur, I would direct you to some general chemistry texts or a book on the chemistry of sulfur (try your local university's chemistry library). Your assumption about sulfur's 6th ionization energy is not necessarily correct. To answer your final question, generally the ionization energy of a one valence electron atom will be less than the same atom with two valence electrons when the two valence electrons are in the same orbital (shell) with paired spins. There are other details about this that can be checked out in chemistry texts.
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.