Atomic Radii & Nuclear Charge: Exploring the Periodic Table

In summary, as we move from left to right in the periodic table, the atomic radii decreases due to the increase in nuclear charge and the resulting stronger pull on electrons, causing them to get closer together and decrease the overall radius of the atom.
  • #1
johncena
131
1
How does atomic radii decrease when we move left to right in a periodic table? Though the nuclear charge increase as a result of increase in number of protons,the same increase is occurring in number of electrons.
 
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  • #2
atomic_radius.gif
 
  • #3
All of your statements are correct. However, the increased number of protons pull more on each electron, whether or not there are more electrons around the atom. So the electrons get closer together.

So, there are more protons in the nucleus to pull on the electrons, and the electrons aren't exactly pushing each other outward with as much strength as the protons are pulling the orbitals inward, so the radius gets smaller.
 

1. What is atomic radius?

Atomic radius is a measure of the size of an atom, specifically the distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell. It is typically measured in picometers (pm) or angstroms (Å).

2. How is atomic radius related to nuclear charge?

Atomic radius is inversely proportional to nuclear charge. This means that as the number of protons in the nucleus increases, the atomic radius decreases. This is due to the increased attraction between the positively charged nucleus and the negatively charged electrons, causing the electron cloud to be pulled closer to the nucleus.

3. How does atomic radius change across the periodic table?

Atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across a period on the periodic table. This is because the number of protons and nuclear charge increases, while the number of electron shells remains the same. However, atomic radius increases from top to bottom down a group on the periodic table due to the addition of new electron shells.

4. How does nuclear charge affect the properties of an element?

Nuclear charge plays a major role in determining the chemical and physical properties of an element. As nuclear charge increases, the attraction between the nucleus and electrons increases, making the element more reactive. Additionally, elements with higher nuclear charge tend to have higher melting and boiling points, as well as higher densities.

5. How is nuclear charge related to the periodic table?

Nuclear charge, or the number of protons in the nucleus, determines an element's position on the periodic table. As the number of protons increases, elements are placed in the next row or period on the periodic table. This also affects an element's properties and reactivity, as elements in the same period have similar characteristics.

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