Gallium Has Higher Ionization Enthalpy Than Aluminium: An Overview

Atoms of different elements can be distinguished from one another based on their properties. One such property is the amount of energy required to remove an electron from its orbit, which is known as the ionization enthalpy of the element. Gallium and aluminum are two such elements and the ionization enthalpy of both of them is different. This article will discuss the difference in their ionization enthalpies and how it affects their behavior and applications.

What is Ionization Enthalpy?

Ionization enthalpy is the amount of energy required to remove an electron from its orbit around the nucleus. It is also sometimes called the ionization energy, or the first ionization energy. This energy is often expressed in terms of kJ/mol and is calculated by subtracting the energy of the atom in its ground state from the energy of the ion in its ionized state. The ionization enthalpy of an element depends on the number of protons and electrons in its nucleus, as well as the attraction between them. Generally, the more protons and electrons an element has, the higher its ionization enthalpy will be. It is also affected by the shielding effect, which is the amount of energy that is lost due to other electrons in the atom, and the number of electron shells.

Gallium and Aluminium Ionization Enthalpies

Gallium is a chemical element with an atomic number of 31, which means it has 31 protons and 31 electrons in its nucleus. It is a metal and has a relatively low ionization enthalpy of 578.8 kJ/mol. On the other hand, Aluminium is a chemical element with an atomic number of 13, which means it has 13 protons and 13 electrons in its nucleus. It is also a metal and has a relatively high ionization enthalpy of 801.4 kJ/mol. This means that gallium has a lower ionization enthalpy than aluminium, which means it requires less energy to remove an electron from its orbit. This can be useful in certain applications, such as in semiconductor devices, where gallium can be used to create a lower-energy barrier for current flow.

The Difference in Behaviour

The difference in ionization enthalpies of gallium and aluminium can also affect their behaviour in chemical reactions. Gallium has a lower ionization enthalpy, which means that it is more likely to form cations (positively charged ions) in reactions. Aluminium, on the other hand, has a higher ionization enthalpy and is more likely to form anions (negatively charged ions). This difference in behaviour can be useful for certain applications, such as in electrolysis reactions.

Applications of Gallium and Aluminium

The difference in ionization enthalpies of gallium and aluminium also affects their applications. Gallium is often used in semiconductor devices due to its low ionization enthalpy, as this allows it to create a lower-energy barrier for current flow. It is also used in alloys, such as gallium-arsenide, which are used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. Aluminium, on the other hand, is often used in the manufacture of aircraft and cars due to its high strength and light weight. It is also used in cookware and other items due to its corrosion resistance and low cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gallium has a lower ionization enthalpy than aluminium, which means it requires less energy to remove an electron from its orbit. This can be useful in certain applications, such as in semiconductor devices, and also affects their behaviour in chemical reactions. Gallium is often used in semiconductor devices, while aluminium is often used in the manufacture of aircraft and cars.