Vaibhav Mishra

The ionization enthalpies decrease regularly as we move down a group from one element to the other. This is evident from the values of the first ionisation enthalpies of the elements of group 1 (alkali metals) and group 17 elements as given in table and figure.

(i) On moving down the group, the atomic size increases gradually due to the addition of one new principal energy shell at each succeeding element. Hence, the distance of the valence electrons from the nucleus increases. Consequently, the force of attraction by the nucleus for the valence electrons decreases and hence the ionisation enthalpy should decrease.

(ii) With the addition of new shells, the shielding or the screening effect increases. As a result, the force of attraction of the nucleus for the valence electrons further decreases and hence the ionisation enthalpy should decrease.

(iii) Nuclear charge increases with increase in atomic number. As a result, the force of attraction by the nucleus for the valence electrons should increase and accordingly the ionisation enthalpy should increase.

The combined effect of the increase in the atomic size and the screening effect more than compensates the effect of the increased nuclear charges. Consequently, the valence electrons become less and less firmly held by the nuclear and hence the ionisation enthalpies gradually decrease as move down the group.

The present set up of the Long Form of the Periodic Table can accommodate at the maximum 118 elements. After this, according to Aufbau principle, 8.y-orbital should be filled. Therefore, the outer electronic configuration of element having atomic number 119 will be 8s1. Since it has one electron in the outermost s-orbital, its valency will be 1 and it should belong to group 1 along with alkali metals. The general formula of its oxide will be M20, where M represents the element.