How do atomic radius vary in a period and in a group? How do you explain the variation?

Home » How do atomic radius vary in a period and in a group? How do you explain the variation?

CBSE | Chemistry | Class 11 | Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties | NCERT

How do atomic radius vary in a period and in a group? How do you explain the variation?

Answer:

A period’s left to right movement reduces atomic radius. Because external electrons are available in a comparable valence shell, the atomic number increases from left to right, increasing the effective nuclear charge. So the nucleus attracts more electrons.

Also, atomic radius decreases as we travel along the group. The distance between the nucleus and the valence electrons increases as we travel down in a group.