Why are cations smaller than their parent atoms?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of why cations, which are positively charged ions, have a smaller radius than their parent neutral atoms. This generally involves concepts related to electron loss, nuclear charge, and the resulting effects on atomic size.
Answer
Cations are smaller because they have fewer electrons, resulting in a higher nuclear attraction per electron.
The final answer is that cations are smaller than their parent atoms because they have fewer electrons while the nuclear charge remains the same, increasing the attraction of the remaining electrons to the nucleus.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that cations are smaller than their parent atoms because they have fewer electrons while the nuclear charge remains the same, increasing the attraction of the remaining electrons to the nucleus.
More Information
Cations are formed when an atom loses electrons, often during chemical reactions, resulting in positive charge and a smaller radius due to reduced electron shielding.
Tips
One common mistake is misunderstanding the role of nuclear charge; it stays the same, but the fewer number of electrons means each one feels a stronger attraction.
