Question

In C₄, Si₄ ions, which is the bigger ion?

a) c₄
b) Si₄
c) Both are equal
d) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Assuming we are comparing carbon and silicon cations, the carbon cation is smaller than the silicon cation because it is higher in the periodic table and thus has fewer electron shells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question seems to contain a typo with C₄ and Si₄ as there are no such monatomic ions with a 4+ charge commonly discussed in chemistry. Assuming that we are comparing the sizes of a carbon cation (likely C4+) and a silicon cation (likely Si4+), we can infer the size based on periodic table trends. Both carbon and silicon are in group 14, but carbon is above silicon, which means its ion will be smaller due to having fewer electron shells. Therefore, the carbon cation is smaller than the silicon cation.