Final answer:
The correct arrangement of elements X, Y, and Z in decreasing first ionization energy is A) X < Y < Z.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct arrangement of elements X, Y, and Z in order of decreasing first ionization energy is A) X < Y < Z.
Ionization energy refers to the amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom. Generally, ionization energy increases from left to right in a period and decreases from top to bottom in a group in the periodic table.
Based on this trend, the element with the highest ionization energy will be Z, followed by Y, and then X.
For example, if X, Y, and Z represent elements in the second period of the periodic table, X would have the lowest ionization energy because it is the farthest to the left and bottom of the period.