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Which of the following cations is most stable?
a) Na+
b) K+
c) Ca2+
d) Mg2+

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The most stable cation among the given options is Mg2+.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most stable cation among the given options is Mg2+.

Stability of cations is determined by the charge-to-size ratio. As the charge of a cation increases, the size of the ion decreases. Smaller ions tend to have higher charge densities, leading to stronger ionic bonds and greater stability.

Among the given cations, Mg2+ has the highest charge-to-size ratio, making it the most stable.

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