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Grade 12th passPhysical Chemistry

Explain why is there a phenomenal decrease in ionization enthalpy from carbon to silicon.

Profile image of Harshit Singh
5 Years agoGrade 12th pass
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1 Answer

Profile image of Pawan Prajapati
5 Years ago
Answer: Because there is increase in atomic size on moving from carbon to silicon, the screening effect increases. Thus the force of attraction of nucleus for the valence electron decreases as compared to carbon. Thus the ionization enthapy decreases from carbon to silicon.