Chapter 4, Problem 55A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The approximate size of an atom needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An atomic radii of an isolated atom rangesfrom 30 to 300 pm. Nuclei radii is around $({10}^{-14}-10^{-15}m)$ and that of an atom is $(10^{-10}m)$. The radius of an atom is more than 10, 000 times the radius of the nucleus.

Answer to Problem 55A

Approximate size of an atom is around $(10^{-10}m)$.

Explanation of Solution

The distance between the nucleus of an atom and that of the electron in the first shell is $(5.3\times 10^{-11}m)$. Increasing the number of electron in the shell though decreases the size but not to very large extent that can be predicted. However, with increasing shell the size increases until it reaches about $(1.4\times 10^{-10}m)$ where the size becomes quite big that it is considered to be the maximum size.

Conclusion

Approximate size of an atom is around $(10^{-10}m)$.