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How does the radius of a positive and negative ion compare to a neutral atom?

User Emmerman
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1 Answer

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A neutral atom contains equal amount of proton and electron.

A negative ion contains extra electrons hence there is additional outer shell so it is expected that the radius is bigger than that of a neutral atom.

While a positive ion contains less electron so there is less outer shell so the radius is smaller than that of a neutral atom.

Arranging the radius in increasing order:

positive ion, neutral atom, negative ion

User Chathz
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