Question

Which of the following statements best explains the fact that O2 - ion is smaller than the N3 - ion?

A) O2 - has a higher nuclear charge than N3 -
B) O2 - has a larger nuclear mass than N3 -
C) O2 - is more electronegative than N3 -
D) O2 - has more electrons than N3 -

Answer 1

The O2- ion is smaller than the N3- ion because O2- has a higher nuclear charge than N3-.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fact that the O2- ion is smaller than the N3- ion can be explained by the difference in their nuclear charges. Option A) O2- has a higher nuclear charge than N3- is the correct explanation. As the positive charge of the nucleus increases, there is a greater electrostatic attraction between the electrons and the nucleus, causing a decrease in radius. Therefore, the ion with the higher nuclear charge (O2-) is smaller than the ion with the lower nuclear charge (N3-).