Question

What are the factors responsible for the inaccuracy in atomic radius?

Answer 1

Factors affecting atomic radius are:

1. Nuclear charge: As the nuclear charge increases, it pulls all the electrons closer to the nucleus resulting in the decrease of the atomic size (atomic radius).

2. Number of filled shells: Increase in the number of filled shells, the valence electrons will be far away from the nuclear attractions and hence it increases the atomic radius.

3. Screening effect: Increase in the number of filled inner shells would increase the screening effect that is intervening electrons screen the valence electrons from the nuclear attraction and increases the atomic radius.