Identify the correct order of the size of the following:
- Ca2+ < K+ < Ar < Cl- < S2-
- Ar < Ca2+ < K+ < Cl- < S2-
- Ca2+ < Ar < K+ < Cl- < S2-
- Ca2+ < K+ < Ar < S2- < Cl-
Answer
(1) Ca2+ < K+ < Ar < Cl- < S2-
Solution
Ca2+, K+, Ar, Cl- and S2- are isoelectronic (18 electrons each).
As per NCERT, among isoelectronic species, the greater the nuclear charge, the greater is the attraction for the electrons and the smaller is the size.
Nuclear charge: Ca (20) > K (19) > Ar (18) > Cl (17) > S (16)
∴ Size: Ca2+ < K+ < Ar < Cl- < S2-
Answer: (1)