Question

Which of the following has the largest size?

• A. Al
• B. $A{l}^{+}$
• C. $A{l}^{2+}$
• D. $A{l}^{3+}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Al

This can be answered based on the effective nuclear charge again.

As Aluminium loses more electrons, the 'pull' of the nucleus over the remaining electrons increases. This would naturally lead to a reduction in size right?

So, the Al atom would have the largest size.