Polarizability

[Helen Mejia 1I]

Can someone explain why polarizability depends on the number of electrons and the size of the atom?

[Jonathan Zhao 4H]

Essentially, the larger the atom (the more electrons), the easier it is for electrons to become distorted, since the pull on the outer electrons is less for larger atoms.

[Meachelle_Lum_1I]

Bigger atoms means a larger atomic radius, and as we can see from our periodic trends, the bigger the atom/molecule, the more electrons it will have. The electrons can cause distortion in nearby atoms, which ultimately affects the polarizability of the electron.

[Diana Bibireata 1B]

In larger atoms, electrons are less tightly held because they are further from the nucleus which is why they are easily distorted

[Esther Ahn 4I]

More electrons means that these electrons will repel each other more, increasing the radius, increasing distortion and thus increasing polarizability!