Week 6- Trends: Electron Configuration and Atomic Radius

How are elements arranged?

They are arranged in order of the number of electrons

What is the distance of the atomic radius in relation to a nucleus of atoms?

It is half of the distance of the atomic radius between the nuclei of the two atoms

What does the concept of the atomic radius in relation of the atomic radius in between the nuclei of the two atoms relate to?

It is like a radius of two cicrles

What is the trend of atomic radius in relation to the periodic table?

The atomic radius gradually decreases from left to right across the periodic table

Why does the atomic radius generally decrease from left to right across the periodic table?

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* Caused by the increase in the number of protons and electrons across a period 
* Proton has greater effect than electron
* Thus, electrons pulled towards nucleus, resulting in smaller radius

When going down a group, what happens to the atomic radius?

The atomic radius increases

Why does the atomic radius increases whenever you go down a group?

As you go down a group, the valence electrons occupy higher levels due to increasing quantum numbers. Results in valence electrons further away from the nucleus, increasing the atomic radius