Which should be larger,the potassium atom,K,or the potassium ion,K⁺?
A)The potassium ion,K⁺ is larger since charging an atom always makes it larger.
B)The potassium atom,K,with an additional shell of electrons is larger.
C)The potassium ion,K⁺ is larger since it has an extra electron which increases its size.
D)The potassium atom and the potassium ion are exactly the same size and only differ in charge.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When an atom loses an electron to become an ion, the ion becomes smaller since it has lost an electron and has fewer electrons shells. Therefore, the potassium ion, K⁺, is smaller than the potassium atom, K, which has an additional shell of electrons.

Which Should Be Larger,the Potassium Atom,K,or the Potassium Ion,K⁺