Answer :
Final answer:
The total energy required to remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom is the sum of the first and second ionization energies, which is 79.01 eV, thus the correct answer is D. 79.0 eV.
Explanation:
The energy required to remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom is not simply the sum of the energy required to remove each electron individually.
The first ionization energy, 1₁, for helium is 24.59 eV. This is the energy required to remove the first electron.
The second ionization energy, I₂, is significantly higher because once the first electron is removed, the remaining electron experiences a stronger attraction to the now positively charged nucleus.
The energy required to remove this second electron is 54.42 eV.
Consequently, the total energy required to remove both electrons, or the double ionization energy, is 24.59 eV + 54.42 eV, which equals 79.01 eV.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. 79.0 eV.