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ExamsJEE MainChemistry

The charge/size ratio of a cation determines its polarizing power. Which one of the following sequences represents the increasing order of the polarizing power of the cationic species, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Be2+?

  1. Ca2+ < Mg2+ < Be2+ < K+
  2. Mg2+ < Be2+ < K+ < Ca2+
  3. Be2+ < K+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+
  4. K+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+ < Be2+

Correct answer: K+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+ < Be2+

Solution

Polarizing power rises with charge and falls with size. Order: K+ (1+, large) < Ca2+ < Mg2+ < Be2+ (2+, smallest). So increasing order is K+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+ < Be2+.

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