1. What is Ionic Potential?

Definition: Ionic potential is the ratio of the electrical charge (z) to the radius (r) of an ion.

Purpose: It helps predict the behavior of ions in solution and their interactions with other ions or molecules.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \phi \) — Ionic potential (V)
• \( q \) — Charge of the ion (C)
• \( r_{ionic} \) — Radius of the ion (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates the electric potential at the surface of an ion by dividing its charge by its radius.

3. Importance of Ionic Potential

Details: Ionic potential helps determine an ion's polarizing power, its ability to form complexes, and its behavior in chemical reactions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the ion's charge in Coulombs and its radius in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical values for ionic potential?
A: Small, highly charged ions have high ionic potential (e.g., Al³⁺ ≈ 11 V), while large, singly charged ions have low ionic potential (e.g., Cs⁺ ≈ 0.6 V).

Q2: How does ionic potential affect chemical behavior?
A: Ions with high ionic potential are strongly hydrated in water and tend to form complexes, while those with low ionic potential are weakly hydrated.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: Use Coulombs for charge and meters for radius. For atomic scale calculations, you may need to convert from elementary charge (e) and Ångströms (Å).

Q4: Can I use this for polyatomic ions?
A: This calculator is designed for monatomic ions. For polyatomic ions, effective ionic radii and charges must be carefully considered.

Q5: How is ionic potential related to electronegativity?
A: While related, they measure different properties. Ionic potential specifically measures charge density at the ion's surface.