Final answer:
Iodine (I) has a higher ionization energy than Tellurium (Te) because it has a smaller atomic radius and higher nuclear charge, leading to a greater attraction between the nucleus and the valence electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked which element has the highest ionization energy between Iodine (I) and Tellurium (Te). To answer this, we must understand that ionization energy is the amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom in its gaseous phase. Ionization energy tends to increase as we move across a period from left to right in the periodic table and decreases as we go down a group.
Iodine (I) and Tellurium (Te) are both in the same period with Iodine being to the right of Tellurium. Taking into this account, Iodine typically would have a higher first ionization energy compared to Tellurium. This is because Iodine has a higher nuclear charge and a smaller atomic radius, which means its valence electrons are more tightly bound to the nucleus, and thus more energy is required to remove one.
Therefore, Iodine (I) has the higher ionization energy compared to Tellurium (Te) in the periodic table of elements.