JEE Main · 2024 · Shift-IImediumPERI-017

The element having the highest first ionization enthalpy among Si, Al, N and C is:

Classification of Elements & Periodicity · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

The element having the highest first ionization enthalpy among Si, Al, N and C is:

Options
  1. a

    Si

  2. b

    Al

  3. c

    N

  4. d

    C

Correct Answerc

N

Detailed Solution

🧠 Half-filled p-subshell in N gives it extra stability and higher IE Nitrogen (2s22p32s^{2}\,2p^{3}) has exactly 3 electrons in 3 separate p-orbitals — no pairing, no repulsion. This half-filled configuration is extra stable, so more energy is needed to remove an electron.

🗺️ Compare the four elements Al (Group 13, Period 3) has the lowest IE among the four. Si (Group 14, Period 3) is next. C (Group 14, Period 2) is higher. N beats C because of the half-filled stability. So N is highest.

⚠️ Common mistake O comes after N in the period, but O's IE is LOWER than N's because pairing one p-orbital in O introduces extra electron repulsion. N's half-filled state is uniquely stable.

Answer: (c)\boxed{\text{Answer: (c)}}

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