Chemistry: The Central Science (13th Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321910419
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-041-7

Chapter 7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements - Exercises - Page 292: 7.34b

Answer

The order in increasing size is $$Co^{3+}\lt Fe^{3+}\lt Fe^{2+}$$

Work Step by Step

$$Co^{3+}, Fe^{2+}, Fe^{3+}$$ Both $Fe^{2+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ have the same nuclear charge. However, $Fe^{2+}$ has 1 more electron than $Fe^{3+}$, so it has more electron-electron repulsions to screen the nucleus attraction. Therefore, the size of $Fe^{2+}$ is larger than that of $Fe^{3+}$. $Fe^{2+}\gt Fe^{3+}$ $Co^{3+}$ is in the same row with $Fe^{3+}$. Though it has more electrons than $Fe^{3+}$, the higher nuclear charge of $Co^{3+}$ attracts electrons more to the nucleus, making the size of $Co^{3+}$ smaller than $Fe^{3+}$. Overall, the order in increasing size is $$Co^{3+}\lt Fe^{3+}\lt Fe^{2+}$$
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