Why is the first ionization energy of Zinc higher than copper?

Subject: Why is the first ionization energy of Zinc higher than copper?

Date: Thu Oct 12 09:23:39 2000
Posted by Michelle Herkert
Grade level: teacher/prof School: Toms River High School East
City: Toms River State/Province: NJ Country: 08755
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 971357019.Ch

Message:


Zinc's atomic radius is larger than copper's, yet it takes more energy to 
remove the first electron compared to copper.  Why?  1st IE Zn = 9.393,  
Cu = 7.726 Atomic Radius Zn = 1.38, Cu = 1.28  Our AP chem class is trying 
to understand why?  What if any effect does the filled "d" orbitals 
contribute?

Re: Why is the first ionization energy of Zinc higher than copper?

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