easy · MCAT chem-phys
In an experiment measuring the ease of forming cations, a scientist finds that Cesium (Z = 55) ionizes more easily than Potassium (Z = 19).
This trend is best explained by which of the following?
- Potassium has far fewer inner electrons than Cesium, so it shields its valence shell less effectively.
- Potassium sits closer on the periodic table to Helium, giving it a stable configuration.
- Cesium actually has a somewhat lower electronegativity, so it holds its valence electrons loosely and loses them.
- Cesium has a larger atomic radius, resulting in its valence electrons being further from the nucleus.
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