Question

Atom A is easier to polarize than atom B.

Which atom, A or B, would experience a greater attraction to a point charge a distance away?

Answer 1

Answer: Atom A

atom A would experience a greater attraction to a point charge a distance away because it is easily polarized.

Step-by-step explanation:

Polarization can be defined as the process of separating opposite charges within an object. The positive charge becomes separated from the negative charge, when this happens the atom is said to have been polarized and have an electric dipole moment. So, the polarized molecules are attracted more toward the charged object because the field increases in the direction of the charged object. Therefore, atom A would experience a greater attraction to a point charge a distance away because it is easily polarized.

Answer 2

Answer: A would experience a greater attraction to a point charge a distance away.

Explanation: An atom that is more easily polarizable, the separation of charge in that atom will be greater. The larger the dipole moment, the larger is the force.