Question

Which of the following pairs is arranged with the particle of higher polarizability listed first?

a. Se₂⁻, S₂⁻
b. I, I⁻
c. Mg₂⁺, Mg
d. Br, I
e. None of these choices is correct.

Answer 1

In the options provided, I⁻ is the particle with higher polarizability when compared with its neutral counterpart iodine (I). Hence, the pair arranged with the particle of higher polarizability listed first is (b) I, I⁻.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked which of the following pairs is arranged with the particle of higher polarizability listed first. The polarizability of a particle is influenced by the number of electrons and the size of the electron cloud. Larger anions generally have higher polarizability than smaller anions or any cations because the increased number of electrons and larger electron cloud can be easily distorted by external electric fields.

Therefore, the correct answer is (b) I, I⁻, with I⁻ being the particle of higher polarizability listed first.