The ions O2-, F-, Na+, Mg2+ and Al3+ are isoelectronic. Their ionic radii show
- a significant increase from O2- to Al3+
- a significant decrease from O2- to Al3+
- an increase from O2- to F- and then decrease from Na+ to Al3+
- a decrease from O2- to F- and then increase from Na+ to Al3+
Answer
(2) a significant decrease from O2- to Al3+
Solution
All five ions have 10 electrons, while the nuclear charge increases: O (8) < F (9) < Na (11) < Mg (12) < Al (13).
As per NCERT, in isoelectronic species the greater the nuclear charge, the greater the attraction for the electrons and the smaller the ion.
∴ O2- (140 pm) > F- (133 pm) > Na+ (102 pm) > Mg2+ (72 pm) > Al3+ (54 pm)
∴ The ionic radii show a significant decrease from O2- to Al3+.
Answer: (2)