How many chlorine atoms can be ionized in the process?

Cl------> Cl+?+ e-?by the energy liberated from the following process:

? Cl + e -----> Cl-?for 6 x1023atoms

given that electron affinity of chlorine is 3.61 eV and ?ionization energy of chlorine is 17.422 eV.

Dear Student,

The solution to the given question is as follows:

It is given that the number of chlorine atoms = 6 x 10²³
Electron affinity of one chlorine atom = 3.61 eV
So, energy releases when 6 x 10²³ chlorine atoms gain an electron = 6 x 10²³ x 3.61 = 21.66 x 10²³ eV

Now, this energy is used to ionize chlorine atoms. So, let the number of chlorine atoms which get ionized to form Cl⁺ ions be z.

So, energy required to ionize the atoms is 17.422 x z

Now,

$$\begin{gathered} 17.422z = 21.66 x {10}^{23} \\ z = 1.243 x {10}^{23} \end{gathered}$$

So, 1.243 x 10²³ chlorine atoms can be ionized.

Hope it helps.

Regards