Comment on each of the following observations:

The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+

As we move down the group, the ionic and atomic size of the metals increase. The given alkali metal ions can be arranged in the increasing order of their ionic sizes as:


Li+ < N+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+


Smaller the size of the ion, more highly it is hydrated. Since Li+ is the smallest in size, it becomes hydrated in the solution. On the other hand, Cs+ is the largest in size and so it is the least hydrated. Hence, the extent of hydration decreases in the order:


Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+


Greater is the mass of the hydrated ion, lower will be its ionic mobility. Hence, Li+ ion has lower ionic mobility and Cs+ has higher ionic mobility. Thus, the given alkali metal ions can be arranged in the increasing order of their mobilities as:


Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+


26