how does a lithium cation compare to a lithium atom?\nthe cation is larger.\nthe cation has the same…

how does a lithium cation compare to a lithium atom?\nthe cation is larger.\nthe cation has the same radius.\nthe cation is smaller.\nthe cation has the same charge.

how does a lithium cation compare to a lithium atom?\nthe cation is larger.\nthe cation has the same radius.\nthe cation is smaller.\nthe cation has the same charge.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

A lithium cation is formed when a lithium atom loses an electron. When an electron is lost, the effective nuclear charge acting on the remaining electrons increases. This causes the remaining electrons to be pulled closer to the nucleus, resulting in a smaller ionic - radius compared to the atomic - radius of the neutral lithium atom. Also, a neutral lithium atom has a charge of 0, while a lithium cation has a charge of + 1.

Answer:

The cation is smaller.