How is ionization energy related to how easily an electron can be lost from an atom?

Larger the size of atom lower will be ionization energy and it become easier to remove the electron.

Explanation:

Atomic radius

As we move from left to right across the periodic table the number of valance electrons in an atom increase. The atomic size tend to decrease in same period of periodic table because the electrons are added with in the same shell. When the electron are added, at the same time protons are also added in the nucleus. The positive charge is going to increase and this charge is greater in effect than the charge of electrons. This effect lead to the greater nuclear attraction. The electrons are pull towards the nucleus and valance shell get closer to the nucleus. As a result of this greater nuclear attraction atomic radius decreases and ionization energy increases because it is very difficult to remove the electron from atom and more energy is required.

Atomic radii trend along group:

As we move down the group atomic radii increased with increase of atomic number. The addition of electron in next level cause the atomic radii to increased. The hold of nucleus on valance shell become weaker because of shielding of electrons thus size of atom increased.  Thus less energy is required to remove the electron from atom.