Question

Compared to a phosphorus atom, a P3– ion has

(1) more electrons and a larger radius
(2) more electrons and a smaller radius
(3) fewer electrons and a larger radius
(4) fewer electrons and a smaller radius

Answer 1

It will have more electrons (Because it has a negative charge, meaning it has gained negatively charged electrons), and it has a larger radius
So the answer is (1)

Answer 2

The correct answer is (1).

Step-by-step explanation:

Compared to the neutral phosphorus atom, the anion P3- has a negative charge of -3, which means that the phosphorus atom has acquired 3 electrons. This produces that its radius increases, since these electrons occupy places in the farthest layers of the atom.

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