Question:

In which of the following, elements are correctly arranged in the decreasing order of their second ionization enthalpies?

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Second ionization enthalpy depends on effective nuclear charge and atomic size. Across a period, it generally increases from left to right.
Updated On: Jun 26, 2026
  • O > F > N > C
  • N > O > F > C
  • F > O > N > C
  • C > N > O > F
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the trend of second ionization enthalpy.
Second ionization enthalpy increases across a period from left to right due to increasing nuclear charge and decreasing atomic size.

Step 2: Analyze elements given.
The elements O, F, N, C are all in the second period. Their second ionization enthalpies generally follow: \[ O \gt F \gt N \gt C \] because oxygen and fluorine have more effective nuclear charge than nitrogen and carbon, thus requiring more energy to remove the second electron.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, the correct decreasing order of second ionization enthalpies is \[ O \gt F \gt N \gt C \]
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