the outer most electron of potassium is remove from 4s orbital and the outer most electron of sodium is remove from 3s orbital.
In case of potassium, increaseing in principal quantum number increases the size of the atom compare to sodium. so due to the larger size of potassium atom the outer most electron experience less nuclear charge comapre to sodium..so outer electron of potassium is more diffuse than sodium.... thats why the removal of outer electron of potassium require less energy than sodium
In this case shielding is not play any role because both case the electron is remove from s orbital.
Any doubt plz comment...If the answer is helpfull plz like it...
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.