Answer :
Final answer:
The energy required to remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom is 79.0 eV. for hence, option (a) is the correct answer.
Explanation:
The energy required to remove one electron from a neutral helium atom is given as 24.6 eV. To remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom, we need to consider the first and second ionization energy. The first ionization energy is 24.6 eV, and the second ionization energy is 54.4 eV. Therefore, the total energy required to remove both electrons is 24.6 eV + 54.4 eV = 79.0 eV. The total energy required to remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom is 79.01 eV, which is the sum of the first and second ionization energies, 24.59 eV and 54.42 eV, respectively. The correct answer is A. 79.0 eV.
According to experimental data, the first ionization energy (I₁), which is the energy required to remove the first electron, is 24.59 eV. The second ionization energy (I2), needed to remove the second electron from the now positively charged helium ion (He+), is 54.42 eV. Therefore, to find the total energy required to remove both electrons, we simply add these two values together. The calculation would be: 24.59 eV (I₁) + 54.42 eV (I2) = 79.01 eV. Thus, the total energy required to remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom is 79.01 eV, which corresponds to option A. 79.0 eV.