Which of the following accounts best for the fact that fluorine atom is smaller than that of oxygen?

Fluorine atom has a lower nuclear charge than oxygen atom, so electrons are more spread out.

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Oxygen atom has a higher nuclear charge that pulls electrons closer.

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Fluorine atom has a higher nuclear charge that pulls electrons closer.

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None of the above

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Solution

The correct option is C Fluorine atom has a higher nuclear charge that pulls electrons closer.
Atomic radius decreases in from left to right along a period in the Periodic Table. This is because as we go from left to right, the elements have higher nuclear charge which tends to pull electrons closer to the nucleus and reduces the size of the atom.

Fluorine comes after oxygen in the Periodic Table. So, it has larger nuclear charge and so, is smaller in size compared to oxygen atom.

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