How would you explain the fact that the first ionization enthalpy of sodium is lower than that of magnesium but its second ionization enthalpy is higher than that of magnesium?

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(A) The electronic configuration of $Na$ is $[Ne] 3s^{1}$ and that of $Mg$ is $[Ne] 3s^{2}$.
The configuration of $Mg$ is more stable (being completely filled) than that of $Na$.
Therefore,the first ionization enthalpy of $Mg$ is higher than that of $Na$.
After the loss of one electron from $Na$,it acquires the stable noble gas configuration of $Ne$ $(1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{6})$.
On the other hand,for $Mg$,the configuration after the first ionization becomes $[Ne] 3s^{1}$.
Thus,the electronic configuration of $Na^{+}$ is more stable than that of $Mg^{+}$,making the removal of the second electron from $Na^{+}$ much more difficult than from $Mg^{+}$.
$Na ([Ne] 3s^{1}) \longrightarrow Na^{+} ([Ne]) + e^{-}$
$Mg ([Ne] 3s^{2}) \longrightarrow Mg^{+} ([Ne] 3s^{1}) + e^{-}$
$IE_{1}(Na) < IE_{1}(Mg)$
$IE_{2}(Na) > IE_{2}(Mg)$

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