Atom Comparison: 3s Orbital Proximity to Nucleus in Br, Cl, At, and I

[Miike012]

Homework Statement

The question is..
In which of the following atoms is the 3s orbital closet to the nuclues...
Br,Cl,At,I




first off how are those atoms in the 3s orbital? I thought the 3s orbital where Na and Mg?

 

[Borek]

There is no such things as "atom in 3s orbital".

Every atom HAS a 3s orbital, it is just not always filled.

In this case distance is a function of electrostatic attraction between nucleus and electron.

 

[Miike012]

Ok, so in your opinion what is the answer to this question?

 

[Borek]

At over 300 posts you should already know nobody is going to answer the question for you.

What are nucleus charges in each case? Where is the attraction strongest?

 

[Miike012]

The attraction is strongest in At.

 

[Borek]

So...?

 

[Miike012]

so the orbital in the At atom is closet to the nucl.

 

[Borek]

Wasn't that hard.

 

[Miike012]

Are you kidding me, my bain needs a break.