This figure shows the interaction of a cation with surrounding water molecules. (b) Which of the following explanations accounts for the fact that the ion–solvent interaction is greater for Li⁺ than for K⁺? a. Li⁺ is of lower mass than K⁺. b. The ionization energy of Li is higher than that for K. c. Li⁺ has a smaller ionic radius than K⁺. d. Li has a lower density than K. e. Li reacts with water more slowly than K. [Section 13.1]

Video transcript

Hi everyone for this problem. It reads choose the statement that best explains why the bromine ion has a weaker ion, solve it interaction than the flooring ion. Okay. And so were given five answer choices here. So let's consider the size of our booming and flooring. Okay, So if we have a smaller ionic radius, this is going to lead to a localized negative charge. This localized negative charge is going to increase the interaction between an ion and an individual water molecule. So in terms of ionic radius, florian has a smaller ionic radius and so it's going to have an increased interaction with an individual water molecule. Because browning has a larger ionic radius, this is going to cause it to have a weaker ion solvent interaction. So the best answer choice that explains that is answer choice D which reads bromine has a larger ionic radius than flooring. That's the end of this problem. I hope this was helpful.