Question

how would the polarizability change in magnitude if we raise the temperature of xenon to above its boiling point? why?

Answer 1

In case of Xe, it has large atomic size, the outer electrons are much less strongly attracted towards the nucleus because of filled intervening shells. As a result, it is relatively easy to temporarily deform the electron distribution to generate an instantaneous or induced dipole, molecule is polarised. The ease of deformation of the electron distribution in an atom or molecule is called its polarizability.

Interactions between these temporary dipoles cause atoms to be attracted to one another, to overcome more amount of energy is required, hence Xe has higher boiling point in comparision to other noble gases that are smaller than size of xenon.

The rise in temperature does not make any effect on the magnitude of polarizability of Xenon as polarizability do not depend on temperature instead it depends on:

1. Number of the electrons in atom: greater is the number of electrons, the less control the nuclear charge has on charge distribution, and thus the increased polarizability of the atom.

2. Distance of outershell electrons from nucleus (atomic size): The greater the distance of electrons from nuclear charge, the less control the nuclear charge has on the charge distribution, and thus the increased polarizability of the atom.