Paper 3 · June 2009 · Atomic Structure and Bonding
Which ion is least polarising?
A
B
C
D
Explanation
Polarising power is set by charge density, the charge divided by the ionic radius. Using six-coordinate radii: is 3/54, about 0.056 charge units per pm; is 2/72, about 0.028; is 2/135, about 0.015; and is 1/102, about 0.0098. carries a single charge spread over a large radius, so it has the lowest charge density of the four and is the least polarising. is the least polarising of the doubly charged ions, but it still has about one and a half times the charge density of .
ZIMSEC Chemistry Paper 3, June 2009, Q9