The correct order of ionic radii of $\mathrm{Y}^{3+}$, $\mathrm{La}^{3+}$ and $\mathrm{Lu}^{3+}$ is: (Atomic…
The correct order of ionic radii of $\mathrm{Y}^{3+}$, $\mathrm{La}^{3+}$ and $\mathrm{Lu}^{3+}$ is:
(Atomic nos $\mathrm{Y}=39, \mathrm{La}=57, \mathrm{Eu}=63 \mathrm{Lu}$ $=71$ )
Eu and Lu are the members of lanthanide series (so they show lanthanide contraction) and $\mathrm{La}$ is the representative element of all elements of such series and $\mathrm{Y}^{3+}$ ion has lower radii as comparison to $\mathrm{La}^{3+}$ because it lies immediately above it in the periodic table.
$\mathrm{Y}^{3+} < \mathrm{Lu}^{3+} < \mathrm{Eu}^{3+} < \mathrm{La}^{3+}$