The relation between successive atomic ionization potentials

Abstract
A quantitatively accurate, yet conceptually simple model of successive atomic ionization processes is presented and verified computationally for the valence shells of atoms drawn from the entire periodic table. The linear relation between successive ionization potentials for valence s or p electrons is explained. The failure of d or f electron ionization to show the same behaviour is interpreted as a consequence of their larger angular momentum, leading to relatively weaker binding compared with s or p orbitals of the same mean radii. It is not due to changes in the intrinsic properties of the orbitals themselves. The concept that the properties of d or f orbitals are especially sensitive to the total charge of an ion is found to be misleading provided the nuclear charge is kept constant.