please help!!! Which of the following are always larger than the neutral atoms from which they are formed? A. positive ions B. negative ions C. cations D. none of the above
D
A&C: When you take away electrons from the valence shell to get a stable structure the number of shells of the atom decreases by1. Therefore it becomes smaller than the neutral atom
B: When you add electrons to the valence shell, the number of shells of the atoms still remains the same. Therefore there is no change in size of the atom.
when you add electrons electrons to neutral atom the radius becomes larger, anions have a larger radius.
@aaronq won't it have the same number of valence shells though? So the atomic radius still remains the same.
you've only learnt about electrons in "orbits" (analogous to how the planets orbit the sun) which is not reality, electrons exist in orbitals (regions of space where its likely to find them). Additionally, anions often have a "full octet" and so are fully spherical, unlike the neutral atom.
@aaronq Ah I see. Thanks(:
no prob!
Ans is negative ions
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