Identify the correct decreasing order of polarizability for the given halide ions. — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Polarizability is the ease with which an anion's electron cloud can be distorted. It increases with the size of the anion. Thus, the largest ion, $I^-$, has the highest polarizability, followed by $Br^-, Cl^-,$ and $F^-$.