Question

If you have a solid understanding of atomic radius, all the other periodic trends can be derived based on it. This is because of effective nuclear charge and how the nucleus attracts the electrons. Chemistry is all about movement of electrons. What is the periodic trend that atomic radius follows?

Answer 1

Atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across a period, with some exceptions, due to the increase in effective nuclear charge. However, as one moves further to the right in a period, electron-electron repulsions lessen the effect, causing the atomic size to stabilize or slightly increase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The periodic trend that atomic radius follows is that it generally decreases from left to right across a period, with some exceptions. This is due to the increase in effective nuclear charge, which attracts the electrons closer to the nucleus. As electrons are added to the same principal energy level, the force of attraction between the nucleus and electrons increases, resulting in smaller atomic size. However, as one moves further to the right in a period, electron-electron repulsions lessen the effect, causing the atomic size to stabilize or slightly increase.

periodic trend that atomic radius follows is that it generally decreases from left to right across a period, with some exceptions. Atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across a period, with some exceptions, due to the increase in effective nuclear charge. However, as one moves further to the right in a period, electron-electron repulsions lessen the effect, causing the atomic size to stabilize or slightly increase.