Paper 3 · bonding / polarisation

Which ion is least polarising?

Al^{3+}

Ba^{2+}

Na^+

Mg^{2+}

Explanation: The marking scheme gives answer B. Polarising power increases with charge density (charge/size).

Ba^{2+}

has the largest ionic radius among these options, giving it the lowest charge density and thus the least polarising power.

ZIMSEC Chemistry Paper 3, June 2009, Q9

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