explain, why cations are smaller and anions larger in radii than their parent atoms ?
Answers
Answer:
Cations are smaller and anions larger in radii than their parent atoms.
Explanation:
Removal of one or more electron from the parent atom increases the effective nuclear charge. Thus , the remaining electrons experience a greater nuclear pull which results in decrease of radius.
This is why cations are always smaller in radii than the parent atoms.
On the other hand , addition of one or more electrons to the parent atom decreases the effective nuclear charge. Thus electrons , experience a lesser nuclear pull, which results in increase of radius.
This is why anions are always larger in radii than the parent atoms.
Answer:
Cations are formed by expelling an electron from outermost orbit of an atom, thus cation has less electrons compared to parent atom which results in increased effective nuclear charge but the total nuclear charge remains same which results in increased attraction of electrons towards nucleus than that of parent atom. Thus, cations are having smaller radii then that of their parent atom.
Anions are formed by gaining an electron in the outermost orbit of an atom, thus anion has more electrons compared to parent atom which results in decreased effective nuclear charge but the total nuclear charge remains same which results in increased distance the nucleus and the valence electrons as the attraction of electrons towards nucleus decreases than that of parent atom. Thus, anions are having larger radii then that of their parent atom.