Polarizability

[ElizabethP1L]

Hey everyone! I am confused on the meaning of distorted as used in this sentence in the notes:

"Highly distorted electrons are described as being highly polarizable."

Thanks in advance! :)

[Valeria Viera 1B]

doesn't this refer to the shape of the electrons like the way they move or something like that? I am also confused on this

[Priscilla Okaiteye]

Hi,

This has to do with how easily the electrons can be taken away from an atoms electron cloud. The bigger the atomic radius, the higher the electron distortion, and therefore the higher polarizability. Since their electron cloud is so big they are farther away from the nucleus and can be affected by other atoms easily.
I hope that this was clear enough.

[Josian1A]

What determines the size of the electron cloud?

[Amanda 1A]

the size of the electron cloud is determined by the energy of the atom's electrons, I believe.

[Jared Pagal 1J]

the size of the electron cloud is determined by the energy of the atom's electrons, I believe.

A few factors influence polarizability. The greater the amount of electrons, the less control the nuclear charge has on charge distribution, thus the increased polarizability of the atom. Additionally, the greater the distance of electrons from nuclear charge, the less control the nuclear charge has on the charge distribution, and thus the increased polarizability of the atom.

[Chiara Berruto 1K]

A polarizable atom/ion is one that has an electron cloud that readily undergoes large distortions meaning the shape of the cloud is changed and influenced by other atoms pull. Larger atoms are more polarizable because the nucleus does not have as strong of an attraction on the farther electrons and therefore they can be pulled away by smaller atoms with a large force (atoms that cause large distortions are small and highly charged).

[Jessica Lancisi - 1I]

So would the trend for polarizability increase from top to bottom and from left to right?