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Which of the following four elements has the smallest radius?

a. Francium (Fr)
b. Potassium (K))
c. Magnesium (Mg)
d. Nitrogen (N)

User Handicop
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Nitrogen (N) d. has the smallest atomic radius compared to Francium (Fr), Potassium (K), and Magnesium (Mg), due to its position in the periodic table.

Step-by-step explanation:

The element with the smallest atomic radius among Francium (Fr), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), and Nitrogen (N) is Nitrogen (N). Atomic radius generally decreases across a period from left to right due to the increasing positive charge in the nucleus, which draws the electrons closer. Nitrogen is situated to the right of the other elements mentioned in the periodic table and therefore has a smaller atomic radius compared to the others, which are alkali metals and an alkaline earth metal.

User Jake Sankey
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