Which element has an ion that is smaller than an ion of calcium?
Do you have choices? Ga^3+ would be smaller but so would many other ions.
;moj
no
To find the element that has an ion smaller than an ion of calcium, we need to compare the ionic radii of various elements. Ionic radii is a measure of the size of an ion.
First, let's determine the ionic radius of calcium (Ca). Calcium typically loses two electrons to form a positively charged ion with a 2+ charge, commonly known as Ca2+.
Next, we need to compare this with the ionic radius of other elements. One way to do this is to refer to the periodic table or use an online resource that provides ionic radii data. For simplicity, I will use the periodic table.
Starting from calcium (Ca), we move to the left side of the periodic table. Going to the left, we encounter potassium (K), which also forms a 1+ ion (K+), and then lithium (Li), which forms a 1+ ion (Li+).
Comparing the ionic radii, we can see that the ionic radius of potassium (K+) and lithium (Li+) is larger than that of calcium (Ca2+). Therefore, neither potassium nor lithium has an ion smaller than an ion of calcium.
Now, let's explore the right side of the periodic table. Starting from calcium (Ca), we move to the right and encounter strontium (Sr), which is the next element in the same group. Strontium has a 2+ ion (Sr2+), similar to calcium.
Comparing the ionic radii, we can see that the ionic radius of strontium (Sr2+) is larger than that of calcium (Ca2+). Therefore, strontium does not have an ion smaller than an ion of calcium.
Continuing further, we reach the element yttrium (Y). Yttrium forms a 3+ ion (Y3+). Comparing the ionic radii of yttrium (Y3+) and calcium (Ca2+), we find that the ionic radius of yttrium (Y3+) is larger than that of calcium (Ca2+). Therefore, yttrium also does not have an ion smaller than an ion of calcium.
Based on this analysis, we can conclude that among the elements mentioned, there is no element whose ion is smaller than an ion of calcium.