Chapter 11, Problem 64E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The element sulfur, magnesium, sodium, chlorine are to be arranged in order of increasing atomic radius.

Concept Introduction:

On moving from left to right in a periodic table, the effective nuclear charge increases. The effective nuclear charge pulls the valence electrons closer to the nucleus. Thus, the atom becomes smaller.

On moving from top to bottom in the group, the higher principal energy levels become farther from the nucleus. Therefore, the effective nuclear charge cannot pull the valence electrons closer to the nucleus. Thus, the atom size becomes larger.