Question

Compare $\mathrm{NaCl}$ and $\mathrm{CsCl}$ with respect to ease of formation and also the strength of the ionic bond.

Answer 1

• Ionic compounds are formed easily between larger cations and smaller anions. This is because an atom whose atomic radius is large can form a cation easily and an atom that has a small atomic radius can form an anion easily.
• ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{+}$ion can be formed more easily than an ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ion. The formation $\mathrm{CsCl}$ is easier than the formation $\mathrm{NaCl}$.
• Among $\mathrm{NaCl}$ and $\mathrm{CsCl}$, as the anion is the same, i.e., ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$the cations are compared. Cesium has a larger atomic radius than sodium. Thus, the strength ionic bond is more in $\mathrm{NaCl}$ than $\mathrm{CsCl}$.