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Question -

Whyare lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ionsusually anhydrous?



Answer -

Lithiumis the smallest in size among the alkali metals. Hence, Li+┬аion can polarizewater molecules more easily than other alkali metals. As a result, watermolecules get attached to lithium salts as water of crystallization. Hence,lithium salts such as trihydrated lithium chloride (LiCl.3H2O) are commonly hydrated.As the size of the ions increases, their polarizing power decreases. Hence,other alkali metal ions usually form anhydrous salts.

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