Periodic Trends

AP Chemistry· difficulty 3/5

Why is Na+ much smaller than Na?

A
$The cation has a larger radius normally$
B
$Loss of an electron decreases the nuclear charge$
C
$An additional electron shell is removed$
D
$Loss of the 3s valence electron leaves only the smaller n=2 shell as outermost; Zeff per remaining electron is higher$
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Explanation

Removing the lone 3s electron leaves Na+ with only 10 electrons in n=2; the unchanged +11 nucleus pulls them in tightly.

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