How does a lithium cation compare to a lithium atom?
A. The cation is larger.
B. The cation has the same radius.
C. The cation is smaller.
D. The cation has the same charge.
The correct answer is gonna be C) A lithium cation ion is smaller
A lithium cation has lost its valence electrons, which causes the remaining electrons to be pulled in stronger by the positive charge in the nucleus. As they get closer to the nucleus, the overall size of the atom is decreased.
