Question

${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ is smaller than $\mathrm{Na}$ atom because:

Answer 1

Ionic size:

1. In reality, the atom's size determines whether it will lose or gain electrons necessary to create negatively charged (anion) and positively charged molecules (cations).
2. ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ has 10 total electrons, whereas a $\mathrm{Na}$ atom has 11 total electrons.
3. There are exactly the same 11 protons in both instances.
4. As a result, the force of attraction acting on the electron in a sodium ion must be greater than it is in a sodium atom, which will cause the sodium ion to be smaller.
5. As a result, the radius of an element's cations will be lower than that of the neutral atom.