Question
Chemistry Question on Periodic Trends In Properties Of Elements
Would you expect the first ionization enthalpies for two isotopes of the same element to be the same or different? Justify your answer.
Answer
The ionization enthalpy of an atom depends on the number of electrons and protons (nuclear charge) of that atom.
Now, the isotopes of an element have the same number of protons and electrons.
Therefore, the first ionization enthalpy for two isotopes of the same element should be the same.