Multiple Choice
Sodium is much more apt to exist as a cation than is chlorine. This is because ________.
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
A sodium cation is _____ than a sodium atom.
A
the same size
B
smaller
C
more negatively charged
D
larger
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that a sodium atom consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons, while a sodium cation (Na\textsuperscript{+}) is formed when the sodium atom loses one electron.
Recognize that losing an electron reduces the electron cloud size and decreases electron-electron repulsion in the cation compared to the neutral atom.
Recall that the number of protons remains the same in both the sodium atom and the sodium cation, but the cation has fewer electrons, resulting in a stronger effective nuclear charge pulling the electrons closer to the nucleus.
Conclude that because of the stronger pull on fewer electrons, the sodium cation is smaller in size than the neutral sodium atom.
Therefore, the correct comparison is that a sodium cation is smaller than a sodium atom.
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