As the nuclear charge increases from neon to calcium the orbital energy

Options

(a) increases
(b) increase very rapidly
(c) increases very slowly
(d) fall

Correct Answer:

increases

Explanation:

With the increase in atomic number from Ne to Ca, the magnitude of the nuclear charge increases progressively by one unit and the corresponding addition of electrons takes place. The increase in nuclear charge is not neutralized by the extra valence electron and hence orbital energy increases.