Identify the CORRECT decreasing order of melting point of cluster of sodium atoms depending on size.

Identify the CORRECT decreasing order of melting point of cluster of sodium atoms depending on size.
  1. Cluster of $10^3$ atoms $>$ cluster of $10^4$ atoms $>$ Bulk sodium
  2. Bulk sodium $>$ cluster of $10^4$ atoms $>$ Cluster of $10^3$ atoms
  3. Cluster of $10^4$ atoms $>$ Cluster of $10^3$ atoms $>$ Bulk sodium
  4. Bulk sodium $>$ cluster of $10^3$ atoms $>$ Cluster of $10^4$ atoms

Solution

Sodium clusters $\left(\mathrm{Na}_{\mathrm{n}}\right)$ of 1000 atoms melts at $288 \mathrm{~K}$ while cluster of 10,000 atoms melts at $303 \mathrm{~K}$ and bulk sodium melts at $371 \mathrm{~K}$.

Asked in: MHT CET 2023 (09 May Shift 2)

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