How are peroxides and superoxides formed by alkali metals?

1.	How are peroxides and superoxides formed by alkali metals?
Answer» Solution :(i) he FACT that a small cation can stabilize a small anion and a large cation can stabilize a large anion explains the formation and stability of these oxides. (ii) The `Na^+` ion is a LARGER cation and has a weak POSITIVE field around it and THUS can stabilize a bigger peroxide ion, `O_2^(2-)` or `[-O-O-]^(2-)` Which is also surrounded by a weak neagative field. (iii) Similarly, the other ion `K^+,Rb^+,Cs^+` are still larger, having very weak positive field. Thus these IONS can stabilize a bigger superoxide `O^(2-)` anion and form super oxides.

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