Select the smaller member of each pair.
(a) $\mathrm{N}$ or $\mathrm{N}^{3}$
$\mathrm{N}$
$\mathrm{N}^{3 .}$

Question

Select the smaller member of each pair.
(a) $\mathrm{N}$ or $\mathrm{N}^{3}$
$\mathrm{N}$
$\mathrm{N}^{3 .}$

Accepted Answer

∻Solution∻ ‖ 1 ⋮ **Compare atomic species**: To determine the smaller member of each pair, we need to compare the size of the atomic species. ‖ ‖ 2 ⋮ **Size of ions**: In general, cations are smaller than their neutral atoms because the loss of electrons leads to a decreased electron-electron repulsion in the electron cloud, which allows the remaining electrons to be pulled closer to the nucleus. Anions are larger than their neutral atoms due to the addition of electrons, which increases electron-electron repulsion and causes the electron cloud to expand. ‖ ‖ 3 ⋮ **Specific comparison**: Nitrogen ($\mathrm{N}$) is a neutral atom, while the nitrogen anion ($\mathrm{N}^{3-}$) has gained three electrons, becoming larger due to increased electron-electron repulsion. ‖ ∻Answer∻ ⚹ $\mathrm{N}$ is the smaller member of the pair. ⚹ ∻Key Concept∻ ⚹ Atomic size and ionic charge ⚹ ∻Explanation∻ ⚹ The neutral nitrogen atom is smaller than the nitrogen anion because the anion has a larger electron cloud due to additional electrons. ⚹◊How do you determine the smaller member of a pair based on their atomic structure and electron configuration?⍭ Generate me a similar question◊

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