Polarizability

[Riya Shah 4H]

What is the trend of polarizing power for cations and anions?

[Kate_Santoso_4F]

In general, an atom is more polarizable the larger it is and an atom has more polarizing power the smaller it is. Therefore, polarizability increases down a group because atomic size increases and larger electron clouds distort more easily. Polarizability would decrease across a period because of increasing effective nuclear charge (Zeff). Smaller, more highly charged cations have more polarizing power. Therefore, polarizing power increases from left to right of the periodic table. However, cations become larger as you go down a group so their polarizing power decreases.

[AlyssaBei_1F]

For polarizability, would the trend decrease across a period from right to left because the atoms are getting smaller from right to left?

[Cole Elsner 2J]

For polarizability, would the trend decrease across a period from right to left because the atoms are getting smaller from right to left?

Yes, polarizablity follows the same trends as atomic radii.

[Maria Nabagala 3E]

For polarizability, would the trend decrease across a period from right to left because the atoms are getting smaller from right to left?

Yes. Also because the more negatively charged the atom is, the more polarizability.