What is the correct order of decreasing size of the following ions? A)P^3- Cl^- K+ Ca²⁺ B)Ca²⁺ K⁺ Cl^- P^3- C)K⁺ Cl^- Ca²⁺ P^3- D)K⁺ Cl^- P^3- Ca²⁺ E)None of these relative size statements is correct.

Question

What is the correct order of decreasing size of the following ions? A)P^3- > Cl^- > K+ > Ca²⁺ B)Ca²⁺ > K⁺ > Cl^- > P^3- C)K⁺ > Cl^- > Ca²⁺ > P^3- D)K⁺ > Cl^- > P^3- > Ca²⁺ E)None of these relative size statements is correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The size of an ion is influenced by its charge and the number of electrons. P^3- has the most electrons and least nuclear charge per electron, making it the largest. Cl^- is larger than K⁺ and Ca²⁺ due to having more electrons and less positive charge. K⁺ is larger than Ca²⁺ because it has fewer protons pulling on the same number of electrons.

What Is the Correct Order of Decreasing Size of the Following