Question

Give the reasons for the following :

(i) The size of a $C{l}^{-}$ ion is greater than the size of a $Cl$ atom.

Answer 1

When chlorine $\left(Cl\right)$ accepts an electron it forms an anion that is $C{l}^{-}$.

• $C{l}^{-}$ has a greater number of electrons (18) as compared to protons (17). So, the electronic repulsion in $C{l}^{-}$ ion is high.

Hence the size of the $C{l}^{-}$ ion becomes larger than the chlorine $\left(Cl\right)$ atom.