The ionic radius of a cation is always smaller than the parent atom because the loss of one or more electrons increases the effective nuclear charge. As a result, the force of attraction of nucleus for the electrons increases and hence the ionic radii decrease. In contrast, the ionic radius of an anion is always larger than its parent atom because the addition of one or more electrons decreases the effective nuclear charge. As a result, the force of attraction of the nucleus for the electrons decreases and hence the ionic radius increases.