In the following, the element with the highest ionization energy is

Options

A. `[Ne]3s^(2)3p^(1)`
B. `[Ne]3s^(2)3p^(3)`
C. `[Ne]3s^(2)3p^(2)`
D. `[Ar]3d^(10)4s^(2)4p^(3)`

Answer

To determine which element has the highest ionization energy among the given options, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Ionization Energy
Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom in its gaseous state. Generally, ionization energy increases across a period (left to right) and decreases down a group (top to bottom) in the periodic table.

**Hint:** Remember that elements with a higher nuclear charge and fewer electron shells will have higher ionization energies.

### Step 2: Analyze the Given Elements
Let's assume the options given are:
1. Helium (He)
2. Neon (Ne)
3. Argon (Ar)
4. Phosphorus (P)

We need to analyze these elements based on their positions in the periodic table.

**Hint:** Look at the group and period of each element to understand their electron configurations.

### Step 3: Compare the Elements
- **Helium (He)**: Located in Group 18, Period 1. It has a full outer shell (1s²), making it very stable and having a high ionization energy.
- **Neon (Ne)**: Located in Group 18, Period 2. It also has a full outer shell (2s² 2p⁶) and has a high ionization energy, but it is lower than Helium.
- **Argon (Ar)**: Located in Group 18, Period 3. It has a full outer shell (3s² 3p⁶) but has a lower ionization energy than both Helium and Neon due to being further down the group.
- **Phosphorus (P)**: Located in Group 15, Period 3. It has an electron configuration of [Ne] 3s² 3p³. It has a lower ionization energy compared to the noble gases.

**Hint:** Noble gases generally have higher ionization energies than other elements in the same period due to their full valence shells.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- Helium has the highest ionization energy because it is at the top of the group and has a completely filled outer shell.
- Neon follows, then Argon, and finally Phosphorus has the lowest ionization energy among these options.

**Final Answer:** The element with the highest ionization energy is **Helium (He)**.