Question

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Across a period, the increased pull of an atom's nucleus on the electron cloud
A). gradually decreases
B) gradually decreases, then sharply increases
C). gradually increases
D) gradually increases, then sharply decreases

Answer 1

Answer: C) gradually increases

Step-by-step explanation:

Across a period (horizontal row) in the periodic table, the number of protons and electrons in an atom increases while the shielding effect remains constant. As a result, the positively charged nucleus exerts a stronger pull on the negatively charged electrons in the electron cloud, causing the atomic radius to decrease. This trend is known as the "electron shielding effect."

Therefore, the increased pull of an atom's nucleus on the electron cloud gradually increases across a period.