Chemistry / Unit 5 Chem 0883 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Ionic Radius: Anions
Captions available
The idea
An anion is larger than its parent atom, since adding an electron raises electron-electron repulsion without added charge to offset it.
In practice
A sulfur atom's radius is smaller than the S²⁻ anion's, since two added electrons spread negative charge over more space.
Where people slip
An anion's larger radius comes from added electron-electron repulsion at fixed charge, not a new proton entering the nucleus.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Chemistry