The charge/size ratio of a cation determines its polarising power. Which one of the following sequeces represents the increasing order of the polarising power of the cationic species, `K^(+),Ca^(2+),Mg^(2+),Be^(2+)`?

Options

A. `Ca^(2+) lt Mg^(2+) lt Be^(+) lt K^(+)`
B. `Mg^(2+) lt Be^(2+) lt K^(+) lt Ca^(2+)`
C. `Be^(2+) lt K^(+) lt Ca^(2+) lt Mg^(2+)`
D. `K^(+) lt Ca^(2+) lt Mg^(2+) lt Be^(2+)`

Answer

D

Explanation

High charge and small size of cation increases its polarising power. It is the correct order.