Final answer:
Neon (Ne) experiences the greatest effective nuclear charge (Zeff) among the options provided because it has the highest atomic number and consequently the strongest electrostatic attraction to the nucleus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which of the following atoms experiences the greatest effective nuclear charge (Zeff): Cl, C, F, Ne, or B. The effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge experienced by an electron in an atom. This value is less than the actual nuclear charge because of the shielding effect of other electrons.
As we move across a period in the periodic table, the Zeff increases because electrons are added to the same energy level while protons are added to the nucleus, thus increasing the nuclear charge without additional electron shielding.
Among the given atoms, neon (Ne) has the highest atomic number, which corresponds to a higher nuclear charge. Since all the electrons in Ne are in the 1s, 2s, and 2p orbitals just like the other atoms listed, but Ne has more protons, it experiences the strongest electrostatic attraction to the nucleus. Therefore, Ne experiences the greatest Zeff among the options provided. Answer choice D) Ne is correct.