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Question

What is meant by atomic radius? How does it vary down the group and why? How does it vary along a period and why?


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Solution

Atomic radius:

The atomic radius of an element is defined as the distance between the nucleus and its atom’s outermost orbit.

Atomic size variation down the group:

  • The atomic radius increases as the group progresses.
  • This is due to the addition of more shells as one advance through the group.
  • As a result, the distance between the outermost electrons and the nucleus grows; the atomic size grows despite the increase in nuclear charge.

Atomic size variation along the period:

  • As the movement occurs from left to right along the period, the atomic radius decreases.
  • This is due to a rise in nuclear charge, which attracts electrons to the nucleus and shrinks the atom's size.

Hence, the atomic radius increases down the group and decreases along the period.


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