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Why is the size of a sodium ion Na less than that of a sodium atom Na?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Consider the electron configuration for sodium:
[Na] 1s2 , 2p2 2p6 3s1
and sodium ion
[Na]+, has no electrons in the 3rd shell as the 3s orbital is empty due to the loss of the electron.
Therefore, due to the missing orbital, the size of the ion is much smaller than the neutral atom. This is also true with all cations. Anions on the other hand become larger as they become electronegative, due to electron shielding.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoSodium is actually bigger that Chlorine.
Why?
Sodium and Chlorine have the same number of electron energy levels, but since Sodium has fewer protons the pull on its electron energy levels is weaker and that allows Sodium's energy levels to expand more than Chlorine's.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoWhen an atom becomes an ion it will either gain electrons and become negative or lose electrons to become positive, sodium reacts by losing electrons there fore when an ion its formula will be Na+ because sodium has lost an electron the nucleus holds more charge drawing the electrons closer in. also because the sodium has lost its valance electron there are less shells with electrons in them giving it a smaller atomic radius.
Hope That Helps :)
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoA sodium ion is a sodium atom that has lost one electron to form an octet of electrons. When the sodium atom loses the electron, which is the only electron in the 3s orbital, the atom no longer needs the orbital and the atom shrinks in diameter.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoA chloride ion has 3 full outer energy shells, whereas a sodium ion only has 2 full outer electron shells.
Since it has a whole extra shell, the chloride ion becomes larger than the sodium one.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe third and outermost electron shell of a sodium atom contains only one electron, which is lost when a sodium ion is formed. The sodium ion therefore has a diameter comparable to the smaller diameter of atoms with only two electron shells.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA sodium atom has a single electron in its outer shell that is very active, seeking to combine with an electronegative element such as chlorine, which lacks an electron to complete its outer shell.
A sodium ion is a unit that has given its extra electron up to another element, the two thus forming a compound having properties widely different from the component elements.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agosodium atom loses electrons to form sodium cation and hence has smaller size
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Is a sodium atom is larger than a silicon atom?
No. A cesium atom is larger both in terms of atomic mass and atomic radius.
Why is an iron atom a different element than a sodium atom?
An iron atom is a different element than a sodium atom because it has a different ground state electron configuration. In fact, any atom that differs from any other atom in ground state electron configuration is a different element.
Why is the ionization energy of a sodium atom greater than that of a potassium atom?
Caesium's single outer electron is much further from the nucleus than that of sodium, so caesium loses its valence electron much easily than sodium, therefore caseium is much more reactive than sodium.
Why is it easier to remove an electron from a sodium atom than from a magnesium atom?
Phosphorus has a higher energy level so it pulls harder on its electrons.
An atom of chlorine has 6 more protons than an atom of sodium How many protons does an atom of chlorine have?
Chlorine has 17 protons.
What is bigger a sodium atom or a carbon atom?
A carbon Atom. Sodium Atoms Weigh Less Than Carbon Atoms And Also They Are Smaller Overall.
How do sodium atom and a positive sodium ion differ?
The sodium ion has less electrons than protons whereas the sodium atom has an equal amount of protons and electrons
Is a sodium atom is larger than a silicon atom?
No. A cesium atom is larger both in terms of atomic mass and atomic radius.
Why is a neutral sodium atom more stable than a positive sodium atom?
its not
Is the size of a positive ion generally bigger or smaller than the size of the neutral form which it forms?
We are working on this in Physical Science class. A negative ion is larger then its parent atom. A positive ion is smaller then its parent atom. =]
Which diagram best represents the relationship between the diameter of a sodium atom and the diameter of a positive sodium ion?
A sodium ion is smaller in diameter than a sodium atom.
How are valence electrons imoprtant?
Valence electrons can determine the reactivity of the atom. An atom with a full shell of valence electrons, like neon, will be less reactive than an atom with only one electron in its valence shell, like sodium.
Why is an iron atom a different element than a sodium atom?
An iron atom is a different element than a sodium atom because it has a different ground state electron configuration. In fact, any atom that differs from any other atom in ground state electron configuration is a different element.
Why is the ionization energy of a sodium atom greater than that of a potassium atom?
Caesium's single outer electron is much further from the nucleus than that of sodium, so caesium loses its valence electron much easily than sodium, therefore caseium is much more reactive than sodium.
What is the less denser element- sodium or zinc?
Sodium is less dense than zinc.
What weighs more one mole of oxygen or one mole of sodium?
One atom of sodium weighs more than one atom of oxygen. Thus, one mole of sodium weighs more than one mole of oxygen.
Is titanium more reactive than sodium?
No, titanium is less reactive than sodium.
