Asked by julie
How does a lithium cation compare to a lithium atom?
The cation is larger.
The cation has the same radius.
The cation is smaller.
The cation has the same charge.
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
The correct choice: The cation is smaller.
Reason: Li+ has lost one electron (3 → 2) but still has three protons, so the effective nuclear attraction on the remaining electrons is stronger and the electron cloud contracts. (Li+ carries a +1 charge, whereas a neutral Li atom has charge 0.)
Reason: Li+ has lost one electron (3 → 2) but still has three protons, so the effective nuclear attraction on the remaining electrons is stronger and the electron cloud contracts. (Li+ carries a +1 charge, whereas a neutral Li atom has charge 0.)
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