Electron Distortion

[Isabelle Fontanilla 1I]

Can someone explain what a distorted electron is? Also, how does it relate to polirizability?

[Nathan Tran 4K]

Electron distortion refers to an interaction between a cation or anion where a cation (because of the positive charge) alters the electron cloud of the anion. In this sense, electron distortion is very important in ionic bonds. The power a cation has to distort the electron cloud of an anion refers to the polarizing power. On the other hand, the susceptibility of an anion to get polarized by a cation refers to the polarizability. In this way, distortion is important because it slightly changes the shape of an electron cloud.