Which among the following alkali metal chloride crystallises in form of hydrate?
Which among the following alkali metal chloride crystallises in form of hydrate?
$\mathrm{LiCl}$
KCl
$\mathrm{CsCl}$
NaCl
Solution
Lithium is smallest in size among the alkali metals. Hence $\mathrm{Li}^{+}$ion can polarize water molecules more easily than other alkali metals. As the size of the ions increases, their polarizing power decreases. Hence, other alkali metal ions usually form anhydrous salts.