Polarizability

[taiyeojeikere-3C]

How do you determine the polarizability between molecules? For example between I- and Cl2-?

[Kristy 1F]

The ion will have bigger polarizability when it is bigger, has less electronegativity and less positive charge. So I-has larger polarizability.

[Daniel Bowen 3I]

It is not necessarily only based on the charge. For the most part it is, however it is based on the size. Take O2- and N3- for example. N3- is more polarizable because it has less protons and therefore a lesser pull on the electrons.

[Joaquin Andrade]

The bigger atom will be more polarizable, so going a group, the polarizability of atoms will increase. This includes group 17, in which case I- would have higher polarizability.