Polarizability

[JoeyAnn Mateo 1D]

Can someone please explain to me the general trend of polarization?

[nicolesalcedo]

Generally, larger molecules are more polarizable than smaller molecules.

[JoeyAnn Mateo 1D]

Is this trend the same for cations?

[nicolesalcedo]

Smaller, more highly-charged cations have greater polarization power. In terms of ionic radius, polarization increases from big to small atoms. You can refer to question 3.81.

[JoeyAnn Mateo 1D]

Do anions follow the same trend or is there variability?

[nicolesalcedo]

Anions are opposite from anions; polarizability increases as ions get larger and less electronegative.

[JoeyAnn Mateo 1D]

So generally, just to make sure.
Cations increase in polarizability as atomic radius decreases.
Anions increase in polarizability as atomic radius increases ( and less electronegative).

Normal atoms follow same rule as cations ( same trend as radius size)

[nicolesalcedo]

Yes, exactly :)