Answer
Metals typically lose electrons when they combine with other elements (they form cations). Losing electrons involves leaving empty spaces in energy orbitals (and sometimes empty orbitals). Consequently, cations are smaller in size than the neutral atoms. Consequently, ionic radius is generally smaller than the atomic radius of metals.
Work Step by Step
Metals typically lose electrons when they combine with other elements (they form cations). Losing electrons involves leaving empty spaces in energy orbitals (and sometimes empty orbitals). Consequently, cations are smaller in size than the neutral atoms. Consequently, ionic radius is generally smaller than the atomic radius of metals.
