Place the following ions in order of increasing radius. Br⁻ Na⁺ Rb⁺
A) Br⁻

Question

Place the following ions in order of increasing radius. Br⁻ Na⁺ Rb⁺
A) Br⁻ < Rb⁺ < Na⁺
B) Na⁺ < Rb⁺ < Br⁻
C) Rb⁺ < Br⁻ < Na⁺
D) Br⁻ < Na⁺ < Rb⁺
E) Rb⁺ < Na⁺ < Br⁻

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ionic radius increases with the addition of electron shells and decreases with higher positive charge. Na⁺ and Rb⁺ are cations, with Rb⁺ being larger due to its higher atomic number and more electron shells. Br⁻ is an anion and is larger than both cations due to the addition of an electron, which increases electron-electron repulsion and the overall size. Thus, the order is Na⁺ < Rb⁺ < Br⁻.

Place the Following Ions in Order of Increasing Radius