How does the size of a cation compare to the size of the corresponding atom?

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Susan Gilbert

Physics

12 August, 20:30

How does the size of a cation compare to the size of the corresponding atom?

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Porter Mendoza · Answer 1

For cation and its original atom, the cation is smaller than its original atom in size. Ex. Radius of Fe2 + is smaller than radius of Fe. Reason is there is less electrons in the cation, making the shielding effect from the electrons smaller while the attraction force from the nucleus remains the same.