Question

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

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

Answer 1

The correct option is B 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 of K, Na and lies below K. Hence it has the largest size.