Polarizability of anions

[Eileen Quach Dis 2A]

One of the textbook problems said to put several anions in order of increasing polarizability. I was wondering why nitrogen with a 3- charge is more polarizable than oxygen with a 2- charge. I thought that oxygen had a lower electronegativity than nitrogen, and therefore should be bigger and have a higher polarizability.

[Kayla Law 2D]

Oxygen is actually smaller than nitrogen, and therefore less polarizable! So nitrogen is bigger and more polarizable. Hope this helps! :)

[Luveia Pangilinan 1A]

Just like what kayla said, Oxygen is far smaller therefore less polarizable. If it helps you, look at the periodic table pattern. I think it should be essential anyway because you need to memorize it.

[Mingzi Yang 1E]

Anions that are bigger and less electronegative are more polarizable. So nitrogen with a 3- charge is more polarized than oxygen with a 2- charge.

[Jonathan Banh 1G]

is more polarizable than because it has a larger ionic radius than oxygen and thus, its electron cloud is more easily distorted. Remember that ionic radius follows the pattern of atomic radius, once you separate the cations and anions. Thus, since nitrogen is to the left of oxygen on the periodic table, it has a larger ionic radius. This is significant in terms of polarizability because with a larger ionic radius, it means that nitrogen's nucleus does not exert as much attractive force on its valence electrons as oxygen's nucleus does. As a result, it is easier for cations to manipulate the electron cloud of nitrogen as opposed to oxygen.

[Mauricio Maravilla 3C]

Since the 3- ion has 3 extra electrons, the nucleus has a weaker pull on all of its electrons whereas the ion with 2 extra electrons has more control over its electrons. This can get pretty tricky though, especially if the question is asking about more than one type of element.

[Grace_Remphrey_2J]

I think the rules for comparing polarizability will help with this and similar questions:
The greater the number of electrons, the less control the nuclear charge has on charge distribution, and thus the increased polarizability of the atom. The greater the distance of electrons from nuclear charge, the less control the nuclear charge has on the charge distribution, and thus the increased polarizability of the atom.
Hope this helped!