Question

What is meant by ionization potential?

Answer 1

Ionization potential or ionization energy is defined as the energy to remove an electron from an isolated gaseous atom so as to convert it into a gaseous cation. The process may be representated as:
M(g) + Ionization energy → M⁺(g) + e^-
It is known as ionization potential since it is the minimum potential difference( in a discharge tube) required to remove an electron from an isolated gaseous atom to form a gaseous cation.
Units : Its units are electron volts (e^v) per atom.
Its SI units are Kilojoules per mole (Kjmol^-1).