Size and Polarizability

[Jasmine Reddy DIS 1E]

In class, we learned that the larger the anion, the more polarizable it is.
How is size of an anion measured in this case? Is size referring to ionic radii?

[Alexa_Henrie_1I]

Anions get larger as the number of electrons increase because the number of shells increase. Ionic radii increases down a group and decreases across a period. So determining size of anions does depend on the number of electrons but you also have to consider the strength of the nuclear charge and its pull on the electrons.

[Lydia Luong 4L]

number of electrons

[SophiaKohlhoff4B]

does left to right or up and down have a greater effect on radii?

[davidryan3f]

the size of the atom refers to the atomic radius. Atomic radius increases as you go down the periodic table and to the left on the periodic table.