Why does atomic radius decrease across a period from left to right?

The atomic radius decreases across a period from left to right due to the increasing nuclear charge (the number of protons in the nucleus). As more protons are added, the positive charge of the nucleus attracts the electrons more strongly, pulling them closer to the nucleus. Although electrons are added to the same energy level, the increased nuclear charge overcomes the effect of electron-electron repulsion, leading to a smaller atomic radius.

Related Questions:

  1. Write the valence shell electronic configuration of an element present in the 3rd period and Group IIA.
  2. Define halogens.
  3. Which atom has a higher shielding effect, Li or Na?
  4. Explain why Na has higher ionization energy than K.
  5. Alkali metals belong to the S-block in the periodic table. Why?
  6. Arrange the elements in each of the following groups in order of increasing ionization energy:
  7. Arrange the elements in each of the following in order of decreasing shielding effect:
  8. Specify which of the following elements you would expect to have the greatest electron affinity: S, P, Cl
  9. Electronic configurations of some elements are given below. Group the elements in pairs that would represent similar chemical properties:
  10. Arrange the elements in groups and periods from Q. No. 6:
  11. For normal elements, the number of valence electrons of an element is equal to the group number. Find the group number of the following elements:
  12. Write the valence shell electronic configuration for the following groups:
  13. Write the valence shell electronic configuration of the atoms of the following elements:
  14. In which block, group, and period in the periodic table would you place each of the following elements with the given electronic configurations?
  15. Examine the concept of solubility.
  16. Define physical and chemical properties of matter.
  17. Explain the process of sublimation with an example.
  18. How does temperature affect the solubility of a substance?
  19. Why do gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume?
  20. Distinguish between shell and sub-shell.