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Which isoelectronic ion is the biggest?

Isoelectronic ion dealing with radius?

  • Which one of the following isoelectronic ions would be expected to have the largest radius? 1. Cl− 2. K+ 3. S2− 4. Ca2+ 5. Sc3+

  • Answer:

    "Isoelectronic" means that the ions all have the same number of electrons. The species with the greatest ionic radius would be the one with the lowest nuclear charge, the lowest number of protons. That would provide the least amount of attraction for the electrons and the greatest radius. The attraction of the outermost electrons for the protons in the nucleus is balanced by the repulsion of the electrons. The ionic radius will be the distance where there is a balance between the attraction to the nucleus, and the repulsion by the rest of the electrons. Of the species mention, the one with the lowest number of protons and therefore the largest radius is S^2-.

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First off, "Isoelectronic" is a fancy word which just means "having the same amount of electrons." This definition tells me the ions all have the same amount of electrons. That means the only thing these ions differ on is the amount of protons and neutrons they have. How then do the different amount of protons and neutrons affect size? When fewer protons are in the nucleus, the attraction between the electrons and protons is weaker. The electrons will consequently be farther away from the nucleus. The farther away electrons are, the larger the radius of the ion. S2- is the ion with the fewest amount of protons, and therefore has the largest radius.

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