How does a lithium cation compare to a lithium atom?

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Mekhi Noble

Chemistry

24 January, 05:15

How does a lithium cation compare to a lithium atom?

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Jamison Barrett · Answer 1

Hi Destromceler!

A lithium cation ion is smaller than a lithium atom. In lithium cation it has lost electrons, which causes the remaining electrons to be pulled in stronger by the positive charge in the nucleus. As they get closer to the nucleus decreases the overall size of the atom.

The bigger they are (the more electrons it has) the less effective the proton's pull will be. So if we were talking about a lithium anion (where electrons are gained) then it would be bigger than a lithium atom.