Seawater contains high concentrations of the ions ,

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · CBSE · Chemistry · Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties · Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

Problem

Seawater contains high concentrations of the ions Na+\mathrm{Na}^{+}, Mg2+\mathrm{Mg}^{2+}, and Cl−\mathrm{Cl}^{-}. Each of these ions, along with the noble-gas atom Ar\mathrm{Ar}, possesses a total of eighteen electrons. (1) Part 1: (a) Rank Na+\mathrm{Na}^{+}, Mg2+\mathrm{Mg}^{2+}, Ar\mathrm{Ar}, and Cl−\mathrm{Cl}^{-} from smallest to largest radius. Provide a complete justification that explicitly connects your ordering to relevant periodic properties. (2) Part 2: (b) Ion channels embedded in cellular membranes often discriminate between ions on the basis of size. Which of the four species listed would be expected to diffuse most rapidly through a narrow channel whose diameter is fixed? Explain your reasoning in terms of both particle size and electrostatic interactions with the channel walls.

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