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Ionic Radius
IONIC RADIUS: The radius of an atom after it has bonded
1. When an atom becomes a positive ion, it becomes smaller. It gave away electrons, so now it’s smaller, and it has a smaller radius.
Li +1 is smaller than ‘Li’. Why? Because Li +1 gave away 1 electron, so now it’s smaller.
It’s considered a positive thing to have a small waist.
“Serves him right. He ate too many electrons. Now he’s fat.”
2. When an atom becomes a negative ion, it becomes larger.
It took in electrons, so now it’s bigger, and has a bigger radius.
‘F’ will be bigger than F-1. Why? Because F-1 took in 1 electron, so now it’s bigger.
There are many Regents questions on this topic.
UNIT 3: PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS © 81
