IONIC RADIUS
Ionic Radius: Definition, Calculation, and Trends
Atoms are microscopic particles that constitute all matter. Despite their tiny size, however, they can be measured. One way that certain atoms, called ions, are measured, is by ionic radius. The radius is different from an atomic radius and is influenced by the particles' charges. Use the following information to understand this important measurement in chemistry.
What is Ionic Radius?
Ionic radius is, simply put, the radius of an ion. An ion is a charged particle. Atoms become ions from the addition of electrons (giving them a negative charge) or the loss of electrons (giving them a positive charge). Ionic radius is defined as the distance between the nucleus of this charged particle (where the protons and neutrons reside) and the outermost edge of its electron cloud. Because the electron field surrounding an ion can vary, the ionic radius is generally measured by taking half the distance between the nuclei of two ions.
How is Ionic Radius Measured?
Ionic radius is measured in either picometers or Angstroms. A picometer is one trillionth of a meter, and is abbreviated pm. An Angstrom is equal to 100 picometers. It is equal to one ten-billionth of a meter, or .1 nanometers, and is abbreviated A.
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How Does Ionic Radius Compare to Atomic Radius?
Ionic radius and atomic radius are similar. For instance, they are similarly defined. The atomic radius is half the distance between the nuclei of two atoms, or the distance between the atom's nucleus and the outermost edge of the electron cloud. The difference, however, lies in the type of particle whose radius is being measured. Atomic radius measures the radius of a neutral atom. Ionic radius measures the radius of a charged particle. The ionic radius of a charge particle of an element differs from a neutral particle of that element because the charge of the ion influences how closely the electrons orbit the nucleus.
What Factors Affect
Atoms are microscopic particles that constitute all matter. Despite their tiny size, however, they can be measured. One way that certain atoms, called ions, are measured, is by ionic radius. The radius is different from an atomic radius and is influenced by the particles' charges. Use the following information to understand this important measurement in chemistry.
What is Ionic Radius?
Ionic radius is, simply put, the radius of an ion. An ion is a charged particle. Atoms become ions from the addition of electrons (giving them a negative charge) or the loss of electrons (giving them a positive charge). Ionic radius is defined as the distance between the nucleus of this charged particle (where the protons and neutrons reside) and the outermost edge of its electron cloud. Because the electron field surrounding an ion can vary, the ionic radius is generally measured by taking half the distance between the nuclei of two ions.
How is Ionic Radius Measured?
Ionic radius is measured in either picometers or Angstroms. A picometer is one trillionth of a meter, and is abbreviated pm. An Angstrom is equal to 100 picometers. It is equal to one ten-billionth of a meter, or .1 nanometers, and is abbreviated A.
Answers' Videos of the Day
How Does Ionic Radius Compare to Atomic Radius?
Ionic radius and atomic radius are similar. For instance, they are similarly defined. The atomic radius is half the distance between the nuclei of two atoms, or the distance between the atom's nucleus and the outermost edge of the electron cloud. The difference, however, lies in the type of particle whose radius is being measured. Atomic radius measures the radius of a neutral atom. Ionic radius measures the radius of a charged particle. The ionic radius of a charge particle of an element differs from a neutral particle of that element because the charge of the ion influences how closely the electrons orbit the nucleus.
What Factors Affect