Question

Which of the following describes how atomic radius varies across the periodic table?

A) atomic radius increases from top to bottom and left to right on the periodic table

B) atomic radius increases from top to bottom and right to left on the periodic table

C) atomic radius increases from top to bottom and toward the halogens on the periodic table

D) atomic radius increases from top to bottom and toward the noble gases on the periodic table

Answer 1

Atomic radius varies across the periodic table by increasing from top to bottom within a group, and from right to left across a period.

Step-by-step explanation:

Which of the following describes how atomic radius varies across the periodic table? The correct statement regarding this is B) atomic radius increases from top to bottom and right to left on the periodic table. This trend is observed because atomic size generally decreases from left to right across a period due to an increasing nuclear charge that pulls the electrons closer, while it increases from top to bottom within a group as the number of occupied principal energy levels rises, causing the valence electron shell to be farther from the nucleus.

Group Trend

The atomic radius of atoms generally increases from top to bottom within a group. The addition of occupied principal energy levels down a group leads to an increase in the physical size of the orbitals, despite the increase in nuclear charge.

Periodic Trend

The atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across a period. The added protons in the nucleus exert a stronger attraction on the electrons in the same energy level, causing the size to decrease.