As elements go down a group from top to bottom, they don't get closer to filling up their outermost electron energy level, but that outermost electron level gets further away from the nucleus. Would it be harder or easier to remove an electron. from an element further down in a group

Easier

as we move down the group shell increase.So there is lesser force of attraction to the nucleus.So it is easy to remove an e- as we move down

first industrial revolution - the first wave of the industrial revolution lasted from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. it industrialized the manufacture of textiles and began the move of production from homes to factories. steam power and the cotton gin played an important role in this period.