Which of the following elements has the largest ionic radius?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following elements has the largest ionic radius?
Na+
Mg2+
Al3+
K+
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following elements has the largest ionic radius?
Correct Answer: K+
Step 1: Understand what ionic radius means. Ionic radius is the size of an ion in a crystal lattice.
Step 2: Identify the elements given in the question. (Assuming K+ is one of them.)
Step 3: Recognize that cations (positively charged ions) are usually smaller than their neutral atoms because they lose electrons.
Step 4: Compare the ionic radii of the given elements. K+ is a cation formed from potassium (K).
Step 5: Remember that larger atomic numbers generally mean larger ionic radii for cations, but K+ is special because it has lost an electron.
Step 6: Conclude that K+ has the largest ionic radius compared to other cations because it is less positive than others and has fewer protons pulling on the remaining electrons.
