Which Ion from Na+ and Mg2+ has a smaller atomic radii? Explain why?

The smaller ion of the two would be Mg2+. Both ions have the same electronic arrangement so the amount of shielding occuring for both ions is the same. The key difference between the ions that causes the Mg2+ to have a smaller atomic radii, is that it has more protons within its nucleus, hence a greater nuclear charge than Na+ which means it will attract the valence electrons on the ion to a greater degree, shortening the distance between the nucleus and valence electrons and so making the ion smaller. 

TB

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

A group 2 metal, M, is reacted with water so that M + 2H2O --> M(OH)2 + H2. 0.162g of metal produces 97.0cm3 of gas at RTP. Identify M.


Draw the structure, name the shape and show bond angles of the molecules XeF4 and SbF4-. In your answer explain why each structure is different, despite both having a central atom, surrounded by 4 fluorine atoms.


What is a mole?


When using cm3 as the unit for volume to calculate the concentration why must you divide the cm3 by 1000?