Which element has the highest atomic radius?
The element with the highest atomic radius is francium (Fr), which is located at the bottom of the alkali metal group in the periodic table. The atomic radius is defined as the distance from the center of the nucleus to the outermost electron orbital in an atom.
Explanation:
Factors affecting atomic radius
There are several factors that affect atomic radius, including the number of protons in the nucleus, the number of electrons in the atom, and the electron configuration. Generally, atomic radius increases from right to left within a period and from top to bottom within a group in the periodic table. This is because the number of energy levels or shells increases as you move down a group, and the outermost electrons are farther from the nucleus, resulting in a larger atomic radius.
Why francium has the highest atomic radius?
Francium is a highly reactive and unstable metal that has a very short half-life. It is also the heaviest of all the alkali metals, with a mass of 223 atomic mass units. Due to its large size and low electronegativity, francium has a very low ionization energy, which means it is easy to remove its outermost electron.
As a result, francium has a very large atomic radius, which is estimated to be about 348 picometers. This makes it the largest atom in the periodic table. However, due to its rarity and extreme instability, francium is difficult to study, and most of its properties are only theoretical.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, francium has the highest atomic radius among all the elements in the periodic table. Its large size and low ionization energy make it a unique and fascinating element, but its rarity and instability make it difficult to study.
Which element has the highest atomic radius?
Nuclear reaction