Question

State whether the given statement is true or false:

"The polarizing power of $L{i}^{+}$ is greater than $N{a}^{+}$."

Answer 1

Neutral nonpolar species have spherically symmetric arrangements of electrons in their electron clouds. When in the presence of an electric field, their electron clouds can be distorted. The ease of this distortion is defined as the polarizability of the atom or molecule.

A cation is more polarising if it has a higher charge or a smaller size or both (higher “charge density”). Among Li+ and Na+; Li+ is more polarising than Na+ (Li is smaller, higher up the group) .