As the effective nuclear charge increases, what happens to the atomic radius?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $9.99Unlock all

Prepare for the DAT Bootcamp General Chemistry Test. Study with comprehensive questions, complete with hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

As the effective nuclear charge increases, what happens to the atomic radius?

Explanation:
When the effective nuclear charge felt by the outer electrons increases, the nucleus pulls those electrons in more strongly. That stronger attraction compresses the electron cloud, making the atomic radius smaller. Across a period, protons increase while shielding stays relatively constant, so Z_eff rises and atoms become smaller. So the correct trend is that the atomic radius decreases as the effective nuclear charge increases.

When the effective nuclear charge felt by the outer electrons increases, the nucleus pulls those electrons in more strongly. That stronger attraction compresses the electron cloud, making the atomic radius smaller. Across a period, protons increase while shielding stays relatively constant, so Z_eff rises and atoms become smaller. So the correct trend is that the atomic radius decreases as the effective nuclear charge increases.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy