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18 votes
18 votes
Which ion below would have the smallest radius?
Na+
Mg2+
02-
F

User Ovo
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1 Answer

12 votes
12 votes

Answer:

F, Fluorine

Step-by-step explanation:

Na^+ and Mg^2+ have both lost enough electrons to bring their electron shells to that of Neon, Ne. (1s^2, 2s^2, 2p^6)

O^2- gained 2 electrons to also conform to neon's electron configuration.

F still retains its 1s^2, 2s^2, 2p^5 configuration, which would result in a slightly smaller radius as the 2p^5 electrons can pack slightly closer to the nucleus before being repelled by the negative charge of their neighboring electrons.

User Gomu
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