Question

Arrange the following in the decreasing order of their covalent character.

(A) LiCl

(B) NaCl

(C) KCl

(D) CsCl

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Options

• (A) > (C) > (B) > (D)

• (B) > (A) > (C) > (D)

• (A) > (B) > (C) > (D)

• (A) > (B) > (D) > (C)

Answer 1

(A) > (B) > (C) > (D)

Explanation:

The polarising power of the ion determines its covalent nature. The polarising power of a cation decreases as its size increases. As a result, the compound's covalent character falls. So, for alkali metal chloride (Cl) compounds, the decreasing order of covalent character is LiCl > NaCl > KCl > CsCl.