Answer :
Final answer:
The energy required to remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom is the sum of the first and second ionization energies, which is 79.02 eV, so the answer is D. 79.0 eV.
Explanation:
The energy required to remove one of the electrons from a neutral helium atom is 24.6 eV. The second ionization energy, which is the energy required to remove the second electron from the helium atom once the first electron has already been removed, is 54.42 eV. Adding the first and second ionization energies together, the total energy required to remove both electrons from a neutral helium atom is 24.6 eV + 54.42 eV = 79.02 eV. Therefore, the answer to the student's question is D. 79.0 eV. This calculation takes into account the increased nuclear charge effect on the second electron once the first has been removed.