nuby Messages 336 Reaction score 0 Thread starter Apr 16, 2008 #1 If an atom with more protons have tighter electron orbitals than atoms with fewer protons, why doesn't the "atomic radius" decrease up the periodic table? Instead it increases, why is this?
If an atom with more protons have tighter electron orbitals than atoms with fewer protons, why doesn't the "atomic radius" decrease up the periodic table? Instead it increases, why is this?
ZapperZ Staff Emeritus Science Advisor Homework Helper Insights Author Messages 32,819 Reaction score 4,724 Apr 16, 2008 #2 Shielding. The inner electrons shield the nucleus from the outer electrons, so they do not have the full nuclear potential. Furthermore, higher orbitals have very eccentric geometry which is included in what we define as the "size" of an atom. Zz.
Shielding. The inner electrons shield the nucleus from the outer electrons, so they do not have the full nuclear potential. Furthermore, higher orbitals have very eccentric geometry which is included in what we define as the "size" of an atom. Zz.