Covalent Radius and Ionization Energy

These flashcards cover key concepts related to covalent radius and ionization energy.

What is the covalent radius a measure of?

The distance between the nuclei of two atoms covalently bonded together.

What trend occurs in covalent radius as you go across a period?

The covalent radius decreases due to the increasing nuclear charge.

What trend occurs in covalent radius as you go down a group?

The covalent radius increases due to the increasing number of electron shells and shielding effect.

Why is the covalent radius of sodium larger than its ionic radius?

Because the attraction of the electrons to the nucleus is less in ionized form compared to neutral sodium.

Define the term first ionisation energy.

The energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from an atom in its gaseous state.

What is the equation for the third ionisation energy of chlorine?

Cl²⁺ (g) → Cl³⁺ (g) + e⁻.