True or False: Helium has a higher ionization potential than Argon.

Helium does indeed have a higher ionization potential than argon. Ionization potential refers to the amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion in its gaseous state. In general, helium, being a noble gas and located at the top of the periodic table, has a smaller atomic radius and a stronger effective nuclear charge compared to argon, which is located further down the group. This higher effective nuclear charge in helium means that its electrons are held more tightly and require more energy to be removed, resulting in a higher ionization potential.

In contrast, argon, while also a noble gas, has a larger atomic structure with more electron shielding, which leads to a lower ionization potential. Hence, the statement is true that helium’s ionization potential exceeds that of argon, reflecting the trends in atomic structure and electron affinity as you move through the periodic table.