Which statement correctly describes how lattice energy depends on ion size and charge?

Which statement correctly describes how lattice energy depends on ion size and charge?

• A. It increases with larger ion size
• B. It increases with higher ionic charges
• C. It decreases with higher ionic charges
• D. It is independent of ion size and charge

Answer: (B)

Lattice energy comes from the electrostatic attraction between ions in a crystal, so it scales with how strongly charged the ions are and how close they sit to each other. According to Coulomb’s law, the force (and thus the energy released when forming the lattice) increases with the product of the charges and decreases as the distance between centers grows. This means higher ionic charges make the lattice hold together more tightly, requiring more energy to break it apart. Smaller ion sizes generally mean ions pack closer together, which also increases lattice energy, but the option that specifically says how lattice energy changes with ion size is not the one chosen here. The statement that lattice energy increases with higher ionic charges captures the essential, dominant trend described in the choices. The idea that it’s independent of size and charge is incorrect, and the option suggesting it increases with larger ion size contradicts the distance-dependent nature of the electrostatic interaction.

Lattice energy comes from the electrostatic attraction between ions in a crystal, so it scales with how strongly charged the ions are and how close they sit to each other. According to Coulomb’s law, the force (and thus the energy released when forming the lattice) increases with the product of the charges and decreases as the distance between centers grows. This means higher ionic charges make the lattice hold together more tightly, requiring more energy to break it apart.

Smaller ion sizes generally mean ions pack closer together, which also increases lattice energy, but the option that specifically says how lattice energy changes with ion size is not the one chosen here. The statement that lattice energy increases with higher ionic charges captures the essential, dominant trend described in the choices. The idea that it’s independent of size and charge is incorrect, and the option suggesting it increases with larger ion size contradicts the distance-dependent nature of the electrostatic interaction.