Explain to me in the easiest way to remember how things like atomic ra...
Atomic Radius
- Down the group: Atomic radius increases down the group. This is because as we move down a group, new energy levels are added, increasing the distance between the nucleus and the outermost electron. This results in an increase in atomic size.
- Across the period: Atomic radius decreases across the period from left to right. This is because as we move across a period, the number of protons and electrons increases, leading to a stronger nuclear charge pulling the electrons closer to the nucleus. As a result, the atomic size decreases.
Ionization Energy
- Down the group: Ionization energy decreases down the group. This is because as we move down a group, the atomic size increases, making it easier to remove an electron from the outermost shell. Therefore, less energy is required to ionize the atom.
- Across the period: Ionization energy increases across the period from left to right. This is because as we move across a period, the atomic size decreases, leading to a stronger nuclear charge holding the electrons tightly. As a result, more energy is required to remove an electron.
Electronegativity
- Down the group: Electronegativity decreases down the group. This is because as we move down a group, the atomic size increases, causing the outermost electrons to be farther from the nucleus. Therefore, the ability to attract electrons decreases.
- Across the period: Electronegativity increases across the period from left to right. This is because as we move across a period, the atomic size decreases, leading to a stronger nuclear charge that attracts electrons more strongly. Thus, electronegativity increases.
Remembering these trends can be helpful in understanding the periodic table and predicting the properties of elements based on their position.
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