How would you describe the electrostatic attraction in a cation compared to that in a neutral atom?

How would you describe the electrostatic attraction in a cation compared to that in a neutral atom?

• A. Weaker in cation
• B. Stronger in cation
• C. Equal in both
• D. Not relevant

Answer: (B)

In a cation, the electrostatic attraction is stronger compared to that in a neutral atom due to the decreased electron shielding and the effective nuclear charge that is felt by the remaining electrons. When an atom loses one or more electrons to form a cation, the number of protons remains the same, but the electron count is reduced. This reduction in the number of electrons means there is less electron-electron repulsion, allowing the remaining electrons to be drawn closer to the nucleus by the positive charge of the protons. As a result, the effective nuclear charge experienced by the electrons increases, enhancing the overall attraction between the nucleus and the remaining electrons. This stronger attraction in a cation is a key reason why cations generally have smaller ionic radii compared to their parent neutral atoms, as the electrons are held more tightly by the nucleus. Additionally, the ionization energy will generally be higher for a neutral atom compared to forming a cation, as it takes more energy to remove an electron from a stable, neutral environment compared to one where the attraction is already increased within a cation.

In a cation, the electrostatic attraction is stronger compared to that in a neutral atom due to the decreased electron shielding and the effective nuclear charge that is felt by the remaining electrons. When an atom loses one or more electrons to form a cation, the number of protons remains the same, but the electron count is reduced. This reduction in the number of electrons means there is less electron-electron repulsion, allowing the remaining electrons to be drawn closer to the nucleus by the positive charge of the protons. As a result, the effective nuclear charge experienced by the electrons increases, enhancing the overall attraction between the nucleus and the remaining electrons.

This stronger attraction in a cation is a key reason why cations generally have smaller ionic radii compared to their parent neutral atoms, as the electrons are held more tightly by the nucleus. Additionally, the ionization energy will generally be higher for a neutral atom compared to forming a cation, as it takes more energy to remove an electron from a stable, neutral environment compared to one where the attraction is already increased within a cation.