Question:

What is the significance of the terms - 'isolated gaseous atom' and 'ground state' while defining the ionization enthalpy and electron gain enthalpy?
Hint: Requirements for comparison purposes.

Updated On: Nov 8, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

Ionization enthalpy is the energy required to remove an electron from an isolated gaseous atom in its ground state. Although the atoms are widely separated in the gaseous state, there are some amounts of attractive forces among the atoms. To determine the ionization enthalpy, it is impossible to isolate a single atom. But, the force of attraction can be further reduced by lowering the pressure. For this reason, the term 'isolated gaseous atom' is used in the definition of ionization enthalpy. 

Ground state of an atom refers to the most stable state of an atom. If an isolated gaseous atom is in its ground state, then less amount energy would be required to remove an electron from it. Therefore, for comparison purposes, ionization enthalpy and electron gain enthalpy must be determined for an 'isolated gaseous atom' and its 'ground state'.

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Concepts Used:

Classification of Elements & Periodicity in Properties

Since many elements were being discovered in the 19th century and the study of these elements individually was proving difficult, classification of elements was made necessary.

Classification by Johann Dobereiner - German chemist Johann Dobereiner classified certain elements on the basis of their similar properties in the groups of continuing - three elements each. These groups were called ‘triads’. In every triad, the atomic weight of the middle element was equal to the average of the atomic weights of the first and third elements. 

Newlands Law of Octaves - The elements were arranged in increasing order of their atomic weights and found that every 8th element shows similarity with the 1st element. 

Mendeleev’s Periodic Table - The arrangement of all 63 elements in rows or columns in order of their atomic weight was made by Mendeleev. He left some space for corresponding elements in his periodic table which were not even discovered till then. Although he predicted the properties of those elements through his periodic classification of elements. 

Modern Periodic Law - The properties of the elements of the modern periodic law are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.