Question

The correct arrangement of increasing order of atomic radius among Na, K, Mg, Rb is:

• A. Mg < Na < Rb < K
• B. Na < K < Rb < Mg
• C. Mg < Na < K < Rb
• D. Mg < K < Na < Rb

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Mg < Na < K < Rb

Mg < Na < K < Rb. The order is based on the trend in a period and a group. The atomic radius decreases across a period (from left to right).

The atomic radius increases down a group due to the addition of a new energy level. Mg lies on the right side of Na and so it is smaller in size than that of Na.

K lies below Na in the same group and so, the size of K is greater than that of Na. And similarly, Rb is in the same group as K, Na and lies below K, Na.

Hence it has the largest size.