The first ionization energy of sodium is 496 kj/mol. the second ionization energy of sodium is 4562 kj/mol. which characteristic of sodium does this data explain?

sodium atoms form cations instead of anions

sodium ions have unbalanced charges

sodium atoms form ions with 1- charges

sodium atoms hardly ever form 2+ ions

Option (4) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

When in a gaseous atom or ion an electron is removed then the energy required for this removal is known as ionization energy.

When one electron is removed from a gaseous atom or ion then it is known as first ionization energy. And, when second electron is removed then it is known as second ionization energy.

Since, the atomic number of sodium is 11 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 1. So, in order to attain stability it loses one electron easily and acquires a +1 charge.

But it is difficult for sodium to lose two electrons as it acquires stability by the loss of just one electron.

Thus, we can conclude that sodium atoms hardly ever form 2+ ions is the characteristic of sodium that this data explains.

assuming that your periodic table has eighteen columns, you should highlight   the four elements in the third column from the left of the table.

neutral atoms of elements after calcium contain d electrons. the energy of d orbitals of a particular main shell lies between the energy of the s and p orbitals of the next main shell. for example, electrons in the have energy higher than those in the orbital while lower than those of the orbital.

by the aufbau principle, electrons fill orbitals one at a time, starting from those of the lowest energy. the orbital is therefore filled right after orbitals and before orbitals.  

potassium has electron configuration and calcium . the s orbital of a main shell holds a maximum of two electrons. the next element would thus have the electron configuration and satisfy the requirements.

a neutral atom of the element contains three electrons on top of the most recent noble gas element. it should thus be placed in the third column of the periodic table. both scandium and yttrium would satisfy the conditions. an aufbau diagram indicates that the 4f orbital is filled before the 5d. however, it appears that exceptions exists for both lanthanum and actinium. neutral atoms of the two d-block elements also demonstrate the and should be highlighted as well.