Why does Be2 plus polarise Cl- when Ca plus 2 cannot?

Answer 1

Be²⁺ can polarize Cl⁻ because it has a smaller ionic radius and a higher charge density compared to Ca²⁺. This allows Be²⁺ to exert a stronger electrostatic attraction on the electron cloud of Cl⁻, leading to polarization. In contrast, Ca²⁺, being larger and having a lower charge density, exerts a weaker polarizing effect, making it less effective at distorting the electron cloud of Cl⁻. Thus, Be²⁺ induces greater polarization than Ca²⁺.