Which of the following species has the largest ionic radius
Answer Details
Among the given species, Ca\(^{2+}\) has the largest ionic radius.
Ionic radius is defined as half the distance between the nuclei of two adjacent ions of the same element in a crystal lattice. The ionic radius increases as we move down a group in the periodic table and decreases as we move across a period.
Ca\(^{2+}\) has the largest ionic radius among the given species because it has the least nuclear charge compared to the other ions. As we move from left to right in a period, the number of protons in the nucleus increases, resulting in a greater nuclear charge. The greater nuclear charge attracts the electrons more strongly, causing the ionic radius to decrease. In contrast, as we move down a group, the number of electron shells increases, leading to an increase in the size of the ion.
Therefore, among the given species, Ca\(^{2+}\) has the largest ionic radius because it has more electron shells and the least nuclear charge, while S\(^{2-}\) has the smallest ionic radius because it has the greatest nuclear charge and the least electron shells.