Atomic Radius
Across period 3 from Na to Cl, the atomic radius generally decreases because:
Select the correct option:
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More classification of elements and periodicity in properties Practice Questions
Why does lead show a more stable +2 oxidation state than +4 while carbon at the top of the same grou...
Why does lead show a more stable +2 oxidation state than +4 while carbon at the top of the same grou...
The placement of hydrogen in the periodic table is debated; which property allows it to be placed al...
The placement of hydrogen in the periodic table is debated; which property allows it to be placed al...
If two elements differ greatly in electronegativity, what type of chemical bond is most likely to fo...
If two elements differ greatly in electronegativity, what type of chemical bond is most likely to fo...
Why does the effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons increase across a period desp...
Why does the effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons increase across a period desp...
Why is the first ionization enthalpy of oxygen slightly lower than that of nitrogen, contrary to the...
Why is the first ionization enthalpy of oxygen slightly lower than that of nitrogen, contrary to the...
Why does atomic radius increase down a group even though the nuclear charge also increases with each...
Why does atomic radius increase down a group even though the nuclear charge also increases with each...
Why do the first elements of each group, such as lithium, beryllium, and boron, often show anomalous...
Why do the first elements of each group, such as lithium, beryllium, and boron, often show anomalous...
An element has the outer electronic configuration ending in 3d^5 4s^1; to which block of the periodi...
An element has the outer electronic configuration ending in 3d^5 4s^1; to which block of the periodi...
An element belongs to period 3 and group 16 of the periodic table; what is its total number of valen...
An element belongs to period 3 and group 16 of the periodic table; what is its total number of valen...
How does the valency of main-group elements with respect to oxygen typically vary as one moves acros...
How does the valency of main-group elements with respect to oxygen typically vary as one moves acros...
As one moves from sodium to chlorine across the third period, how does the acidic or basic nature of...
As one moves from sodium to chlorine across the third period, how does the acidic or basic nature of...
On the Pauling scale, which of the following elements possesses the highest electronegativity value ...
On the Pauling scale, which of the following elements possesses the highest electronegativity value ...
Browse all classification of elements and periodicity in properties questions →
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.
Looking for more practice? Explore all chemistry questions or browse classification of elements and periodicity in properties questions on RankGuru.