Question

Which of the following species will have the largest and the smallest size? Why?

Mg, Mg²⁺, Al, Al³⁺

Answer 1

• Atomic radius decreases across the period. Hence, the atomic radius of Mg is larger than that of Al.
• Parent atoms have larger radius than their corresponding cations. Hence, the radius of Mg is larger than that of Mg²⁺ and the radius of Al is larger than that of Al³⁺.
• Mg²⁺ and Al³⁺ are isoelectronic. Among isoelectronic species, the one with larger nuclear charge will have smaller radius. Al³⁺ (Z = 13) has a larger nuclear charge than that of Mg²⁺ (Z = 12). Hence, the ionic radius of Al³⁺ is smaller than Mg²⁺.
• Therefore, the decreasing order of radius is Mg > Al > Mg²⁺ > Al³⁺.

Hence, species with the largest size is Mg and with the smallest size is Al³⁺.