Atomic Radius
Across period 3 from Na to Cl, the atomic radius generally decreases because:
Select the correct option:
Solution
Effective nuclear charge increases while electrons are added to the same shell
From Na to Cl, protons are added to the nucleus while electrons enter the same principal shell (n = 3). Shielding does not increase enough to cancel this rise in nuclear attraction. Therefore effective nuclear charge increases and pulls electrons closer, reducing atomic radius.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- classification of elements and periodicity in properties
- Topic
- atomic radius
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Effective nuclear charge increases while electrons are added to the same shell
From Na to Cl, protons are added to the nucleus while electrons enter the same principal shell (n = 3). Shielding does not increase enough to cancel this rise in nuclear attraction. Therefore effective nuclear charge increases and pulls electrons closer, reducing atomic radius.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter classification of elements and periodicity in properties, covering the topic of atomic radius. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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