Amongst the elements with following electronic configurations, which one of them may have the highest ionization energy?

Options

(a) Ne [3s²3p²]
(b) Ar [3d¹°4s²4p³]
(c) Ne [3s²3p¹]
(d) Ne [3s²3p³]

Correct Answer:

Ne [3s²3p³]

Explanation:

The smaller the atomic size, larger is the value of ionisation potential. Further the atoms having half filled or fully filled orbitals are comparitively more stable, hence more energy is required to remove the electron from such atoms