182k views
2 votes
Explain why calcium (Ca) has a greater atomic radius than magnesium (Mg).

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

Magnesium nucleus will attract the electrons more toward it and therefore, shrinking the size of the atom. Magnesium atom is smaller than Calcium atom because Calcium has more electron ( 20e− ) which will occupy more energy levels ( n=4 for Calcium versus n=3 for Magnesium)

User Bobsickle
by
4.5k points