Question detail

How does the ionic radius affect the strength of an ionic lattice?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

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At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Bonding

Question

A. Smaller ionic radius leads to stronger lattice due to closer ion proximity.
B. Larger ionic radius leads to stronger lattice due to increased volume.
C. Ionic radius has no effect on lattice strength.
D. Smaller ionic radius leads to weaker lattice due to increased repulsion.

Answer

Smaller ionic radius leads to stronger lattice due to closer ion proximity.

Explanation

A smaller ionic radius allows ions to be closer together, increasing the electrostatic attraction between them, which strengthens the ionic lattice.

Common mistake

Misunderstanding Ionic Lattice Strength

Students often confuse the strength of ionic lattices with the size of the ions alone, neglecting the effect of charge.

To correctly explain ionic lattice strength, remember that it is influenced by both the charge of the ions and their ionic radii. Use the formula for lattice energy, which indicates that higher charges lead to stronger attractions. For example, when comparing NaCl and MgO, MgO has a higher lattice energy due to the +2 charge on Mg compared to the +1 charge on Na. Therefore, the ionic lattice strength increases with higher ionic charges and smaller ionic radii.

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