The inert pair effect refers to the tendency of the outermost s-electrons in heavier p-block elements to remain non-bonding or inert, rather than participating in bonding as expected. This effect becomes more pronounced down a group in the periodic table due to increased atomic size and shielding, which leads to a decrease in the effective nuclear charge felt by the s-electrons. As a result, the s-electrons are less likely to be involved in chemical bonding. Across a period, the inert pair effect generally decreases as the effective nuclear charge increases, making it easier for s-electrons to participate in bonding. To enhance the inert pair effect in an atom, one can increase the atomic number, which amplifies the shielding effect and reduces the involvement of s-electrons in bonding. The discussion also references a Wikipedia article for further clarification, indicating that some participants found specific aspects of the inert pair effect unclear.