Homework Question 2D.11

[Sarah Fatkin 4I]

Hi Chemistry Community! I was wondering why N3+ has a higher polarizability than O2-? I thought that the ionic radius decreases across a period. Thanks!

[Jonathan Pai 2I]

Sarah, you're right that N3- is bigger than O2-, which is why it has more polarizability, because there is more space for charge to concentrate in. You may be confusing the concept of polarizing power, which is question 2D9.