Question

The chemical similarity between boron and silicon mainly due to equal value of their:

• A. electronegativity
• B. nuclear charge
• C. charge to (ionic radius)${}^2$ ratio
• D. atomic volume

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

charge to (ionic radius)${}^2$ ratio

Actually, it is because of diagonal relationship. Such relationship occurs because crossing and descending the periodic table have opposite effects. It is due to ion polarising power mainly. This is defined as charge divided by square of the radius.