The ionization energies of the representative elements generally decrease from top to bottom within a group. This trend is explained by the increase in size of the atoms within a group. The valence electron that is being removed is further from the nucleus in the case of a larger atom. The attractive force between the valence electron and the nucleus weakens as the distance between them increases and as the shielding effect increases, resulting in a lower ionization energy for the larger atoms within a group. Although the nucl
Context:
Dan was studying chemistry for the upcoming test. To understand ionization energy he selected two atoms, atom A and atom B. Atom A was top within a group, but atom B was bottom within a group. He found it easier to understand the concept by comparing these two atoms.
Q: Which atom would have less attractive force between the valence electron and the nucleus, atom A or atom B?