Question

Why hydration enthalpy of alkali metal ions decrease down the group?

Answer 1

Smaller the ion, higher will be the hydration enthalpy because smaller atoms can accommodate a large number of water molecules around it, and gets highly hydrated. Hydration enthalpy decreases down the group because down the group size of the atom increases because of addition of extra valence shells

Answer 2

Answer:

Smaller the ion, higher will be the hydration enthalpy because smaller atoms can accommodate a large number of water molecules around it, and gets highly hydrated. Hydration enthalpy decreases down the group because down the group size of the atom increases because of addition of extra valence shells