235k views
2 votes
As you travel down a group the atomic radius (decreases/increases). Why?

User Hakan
by
4.1k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer: Down a group, the number of energy levels (n) increases, so there is a greater distance between the nucleus and the outermost orbital. This results in a larger atomic radius.

User Thiiiiiking
by
3.6k points