Question

The radius of isoelectronic species?

• A. Increases with a decrease in nuclear charge.
• B. Decreases with an increase in nuclear charge.
• C. Same for all.
• D. First increases and then decreases.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Decreases with an increase in nuclear charge.

Do you remember the definition of isoelectronic? As the name suggests two entities are said to be isoelectronic if they have the same number of electrons.

As the nuclear charge in isoelectronic species increases the attraction between the nucleus and the electrons increases, bringing the electrons closer to the nucleus, therefore resulting in a decrease of the radius of the species.