Ionic Radii Quiz

1. Neutral atoms form ions by:

a) gaining or losing protons

b) gaining or losing electrons

c) either a or b

d) losing either protons or electrons

2. The removal of one or more electrons from a neutral atom results in a _____.

a) positively-charged anion

b) positively-charged cation

c) negatively-charged anion

d) negatively-charged cation

3. The addition of one or more electrons to a neutral atom results in a _____.

a) positively-charged anion

b) positively-charged cation

c) negatively-charged anion

d) negatively-charged cation

4. What technique is usually used to measure the sizes of ions?

a) x-ray crystallography

b) mass spectrometry

c) infrared spectroscopy

d) nuclear magnetic resonance

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5. Cations are always _____ than the parent atom from which they were formed. Anions
are always _____ than the parent atom from which they were formed.

a) larger; larger

b) larger; smaller

c) smaller; larger

d) larger; larger

6. Which would have a greater decrease in size compared to the neutral atom: Na+ or Mg+?
Explain. Na. Sodium loses an electron from the 3rd energy level, therefore leaving
electrons in only 2 energy levels. Mg+ still has an electron in the third energy level.

7. O2− and F− both have 10 electrons. Which is the larger ion and why?

The oxygen ion is larger because Fluorine has more protons and a greater attraction to the electrons
pulling them closer to the nucleus.

8. Which atom/ion of each pair below is larger?

a) Cs/Cs+

b) Br/Br−

c) Mg2+/Ca2+

d) F−/Na+

9. Which atom/ion of each pair below is smaller?

a) Cu+/Cu2+

b) F−/N3−

c) Al3+/Al

d) Se2−/Se

10. The following ions all have the same number of electrons. Arrange them in order from
smallest to largest: Ca2+, Cl−, P3−, K+, Sc3+, S2−

Sc3+, Ca2+, K+, Cl-, S2-, P3-