Final answer:
Boron (B) has the largest atomic radius among boron, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, because atomic radius decreases across a period, and boron is furthest to the left in the periodic table of the options given.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand is which element among boron (B), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O) has the largest atomic radius. Atomic radius generally decreases across a period (from left to right) in the periodic table, and it increases down a group (from top to bottom). Therefore, as we move from boron to oxygen across period 2, the atomic radius decreases due to the increasing nuclear charge pulling the electrons closer.
Looking at the elements listed:
- Boron (B) - Group 13, Period 2
- Carbon (C) - Group 14, Period 2
- Nitrogen (N) - Group 15, Period 2
- Oxygen (O) - Group 16, Period 2
Given this information, boron has the largest atomic radius among the elements provided because it is the furthest to the left in the periodic table of the options given.