Which of the following correctly compares the radii of Na and Na+?

A. Na has a smaller radius than Na + because Na has expanded its electron cloud.

B. Na has a larger radius than Na + because Na has lost its outermost energy shell.

C. Na has a smaller radius than Na + because Na + has expanded its electron cloud.

D. Na has a larger radius than Na + because Na + has lost its outermost energy shell.

Question

Chemistry

Lexie Orozco

4 January, 12:47

Which of the following correctly compares the radii of Na and Na+?

A. Na has a smaller radius than Na + because Na has expanded its electron cloud.

B. Na has a larger radius than Na + because Na has lost its outermost energy shell.

C. Na has a smaller radius than Na + because Na + has expanded its electron cloud.

D. Na has a larger radius than Na + because Na + has lost its outermost energy shell.

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Armando Watson · Answer 1

The statement that correctly compares the radii of Na and Na + is

Na has a larger radius than Na + because Na + has lost its outermost energy shell (answer D)

Explanation

sodium (Na) is in atomic number 11 and hence has 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 or [Ne] 3s1 electron configuration.

Sodium metal (Na) loses 1 electron in the outermost shell to form Na + with 1s2 2s2 2p6 electron configuration.

Therefore Na has larger atomic radius than Na + because Na + is formed when 1 electron is lost by Na atom.

In addition the nuclear charge of Na + is greater than that of Na. This make the valence electron of Na + to attracted closer to the nucleus which make the atomic radius of Na + to be smaller than that of Na.