Question

Nitrogen is to the immediate left of oxygen in the same row in the periodic table. Which of the following statements compares the radius and number of protons of nitrogen and

Oxygen atoms?
Nitrogen has a smaller radius and one less proton than oxygen
Nitrogen has a larger radius and one less proton than oxygen
Nitrogen has a smaller radius and one more proton than oxygen
Nitrogen has a larger radius and one more proton than oxygen​

Answer 1

Nitrogen has a smaller atomic radius and one less proton than oxygen, due to its position on the periodic table and the periodic trend of decreasing atomic radius across a period.

Step-by-step explanation:

Comparing the atomic radius and number of protons between nitrogen and oxygen, we need to consider their positions on the periodic table. Nitrogen, which is to the immediate left of oxygen in the same row, will have a smaller atomic radius. The reason for this is due to the periodic trend where atomic radii generally decrease from left to right across a period. Despite this overall trend, there are exceptions where the oxygen radius might be slightly larger due to electron-electron repulsion effects. Nevertheless, nitrogen typically has a smaller radius than oxygen.

Regarding protons, nitrogen, with an atomic number of 7, has one less proton than oxygen, which has an atomic number of 8. Therefore, the correct statement out of the given options that compares nitrogen and oxygen would be: 'Nitrogen has a smaller radius and one less proton than oxygen'.