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Question

It is not possible to measure the atomic radius precisely since the electron cloud surrounding the atom does not have a sharp boundary. One practical approach to estimate the size of an atom of a non-metallic element is to measure the distance between two atoms when they are bound together by a single bond in a covalent molecule and then dividing by two. For metals, we define the term "metallic radius" which is taken as half the internuclear distance separating the metal cores in the metallic crystal. The van der Waal's radius represents the overall size of the atoms which includes its valence shell in a non bonded situation. It is the half of the distance between two similar atoms in separate molecules in a solid. The atomic radius decreases across a period and increases down the group. Generally, same trends are observed in case of ionic radius. The ionic radius of the species having the same number of electrons depends on the number of protons in their nuclei.

Which of the following statements is correct?

A
Metallic radius refer to metals only and is greater than covalent radius.
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B
Metallic radius refer to metals only and is smaller than covalent radius.
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C
Generally covalent radius refer to non-metals as well as metals in bonded state (Covalent bond).
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D
Atomic radii of noble gases are expressed as van der Waal's radii which are smaller than metallic radii.
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Solution

The correct option is A Metallic radius refer to metals only and is greater than covalent radius.
A metal lattice consists of positive kernels or metal ions arranged in a definite pattern in a sea of mobile valence electron.

Each metal ion is simultaneously attracted by a number of mobile electrons. Force of attraction between the mobile electrons and the positive kernels are called the metallic bond.

Metallic radius is one half of the internuclear distance between the two adjacent metal ions in the metallic lattice. In the metallic lattice, the valence electrons are mobile, therefore they are only weakly attracted by metal ions.

In a covalent bond, the atoms are strongly attracted by the nuclei of two atoms.

Thus a metallic radius is always larger than its covalent radius.

Therefore, option A is correct.

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