Question

The formation of Mg²⁺ is as follows

I.  Mg_(g)  → Mg⁺ _(g) + e ^–   –737 KJ mol^{– 1} 

II.  Mg⁺_(g) → Mg²⁺ _(g) + e^–  –1450 KJ mol^-1

The energy required in the second steps is higher because 

(a)  Mg⁺ is more electropositive 

(b)  Mg⁺ has larger size than Mg 

(c)  Mg⁺ tends to loose only one electron 

(d)  Mg⁺ has smaller size than Mg

Answer 1

(d)  Mg⁺ has smaller size than Mg