Question 13

Explain why cations are smaller and anions larger in radii than their parent atoms?

Answer

 

Nucleus of an atom is positively charged and electrons are revolving around the nucleus in their respective orbitals.The more the cations or anions comes closer to the nucleus ,lesser will be their atomic radii. Therefore in the case of cations and anions are as follows:



A cation is a positively charged species that  has a fewer number of electrons than its parent atom, while its nuclear charge remains the same. As a result, the attraction of electrons to the nucleus is more in a cation than in its parent atom. Therefore, a cation is smaller in size than its parent atom.

On the other hand, an anion is a positively charged species that  has one or more electrons than its parent atom, resulting in an increased repulsion among the electrons and a decrease in the effective nuclear charge. As a result, the distance between the valence electrons and the nucleus is more in anions than in its parent atom. Hence, an anion is larger in radius than its parent atom.

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