The crystal structure of sodium chloride. Each Na^+ ion surrounded by surrounded

Question

The crystal structure of sodium chloride. Each Na^+ ion surrounded by surrounded by six Cl^- ions Each Cl^- ion surrounded by six Na^+ ions If no color key were provided, is there a way for you to guess whether the green spheres represent Na^+ or Cl^- ? If so, what information would you use? Match the words in the left column to the appropriate blanks in the sentences on the right. Make certain each sentence is complete before submitting your answer. larger smaller Na^+ Cl^- Cations have a radius than their neutral atoms and anions have a radius. Because Na and Cl are in the same row of the periodic table, we would expect to have a smaller radius than, so we would guess that the larger green spheres represent

Explanation / Answer

Cations have a smaller radius than their neutral atoms and anions have a larger radius. Because Na and Cl are in the same row of the periodic table, we would expect Na+to have a smaller radius than Cl-, so we would guess that the larger green spheres represent Cl-.

Na has the electronic configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1, hence after losing one electron from 3s orbital Na+ has the electronic configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6.

Cl has the electronic configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5, hence after gaining one electron into 3p orbital Cl- has the electronic configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6.

So, by looking at the electronic configurations, we can experience that the effective nuclear charge acting between the nucleus and the valence shell electrons get significantly lowered in Cl- than in Na+, due to the screening effect imposed by the extra set of penultimate shell electrons on the valence shell electrons.

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