Question

The hydration energy of:

• A. $B{e}^{2+}>N{a}^{+}$
• B. $B{e}^{2+}<N{a}^{+}$
• C. $B{e}^{2+}=N{a}^{+}$
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A $B{e}^{2+}>N{a}^{+}$

Hydration energy is directly proportional to the charge on the ion and inversly proportional to the size of the ion. As the size of $N{a}^{+}$ is greater than $B{e}^{2+}$ and the charge on beryllium ion (+2) is greater than the charge on sodium ion (+1), the hydration energy of $B{e}^{2+}$ is greater than that of $N{a}^{+}$.