Question

Put the elements in order of atomic size. Smallest (top) to Largest (bottom).

a) Chlorine, Fluorine, Sodium, Barium
b) Barium, Sodium, Chlorine, Fluorine
c) Fluorine, Chlorine, Sodium, Barium
d) Sodium, Chlorine, Fluorine, Barium

Answer 1

The correct order from smallest to largest atomic size is Fluorine, Chlorine, Sodium, Barium. This order is based on periodic trends, with size increasing as you go down a group and from right to left in a period.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the order of atomic size among the elements Chlorine (Cl), Fluorine (F), Sodium (Na), and Barium (Ba), we should consider the general trends in the periodic table. As we move from top to bottom in a group, atomic size increases because each element has more electron shells than the one above it. As we move from right to left in a period, atomic size also increases as the number of protons is less, the attractive force on the electrons is weaker, and electrons can occupy more space.

Following these trends:

• Fluorine (F) has the smallest atomic size as it is on the top right of the given elements.
• Chlorine (Cl) is right below fluorine in the same group and thus has a larger atomic size than fluorine.
• Sodium (Na) is to the left of chlorine and fluorine in the same period, so it has a larger atomic size than both.
• Barium (Ba), being further down the group than sodium, has the largest atomic size of the four elements.

Therefore, the correct order from smallest to largest atomic size is:

1. Fluorine (F)
2. Chlorine (Cl)
3. Sodium (Na)
4. Barium (Ba)