Which statement is true about removing electrons from atoms with nearly filled outer orbits?

Prepare for the IBEW Apprenticeship Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Removing electrons from atoms with nearly filled outer orbits requires more energy due to the stability associated with having a nearly complete valence shell. Atoms tend to achieve a stable configuration similar to that of noble gases, which have full outer electron orbits. The closer an atom's outer electron orbit is to being full, the more energy is needed to overcome the attractive force between the nucleus and the electrons.

Moreover, electrons in nearly filled outer shells are held more tightly because they are closer to achieving a stable electronic configuration. Hence, the energy required to remove one of these electrons increases as you approach the full capacity of the outer shell.

This principle is critical in understanding atomic behavior and ionization energy trends, particularly across periods in the periodic table, where the energy required to remove an electron generally increases with increasing nuclear charge.

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