Question

Question #64e44

Answer 1

A smaller cation has higher polarization as it has a smaller size.

Explanation:

Polarization is the distortion of the electron cloud of an ion or a molecule by an electric field.

The formula for the electrostatic force between two charges `q_1` and `q_2` is

`F = (kq_1q_2)/d^2`

where `d` is the distance between the charges and `k` is a proportionality constant.

A smaller cation can get closer to the electron cloud of a nearby ion or molecule, so it can exert a greater attraction (distorting force) on those electrons.

Thus, a small cation has a greater ability to polarize nearby ions and molecules.