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ExamsJEE MainChemistry

Arrange the following anions in the correct sequence of decreasing polarizability: I-, Br-, Cl-, F-.

  1. I- > Br- > Cl- > F-
  2. I- > Br- > F- > Cl-
  3. I- < Br- < Cl- < F-
  4. I- < Br- < F- < Cl-

Correct answer: I- > Br- > Cl- > F-

Solution

Larger ions hold their outer electron cloud more loosely, so they are more easily distorted (more polarizable). Since I- is the largest halide and F- the smallest, polarizability follows I- > Br- > Cl- > F-.

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