Atomic radii

 Atoms are not solid spheres, but we can measure an

atoms size when in a bond by looking at the spacing
between the two nuclei.
 We can not measure an individual atom but can measure
the distance between identical adjacent atomic nuclei in a
sample of an element and divide that by two.
 The atomic radii is described as a measure of the
distance from the nucleus of an atom to the boundary of
the surrounding cloud of electrons.

 Atomic size greatly influences other atomic properties.

 Atomic size increases down a group and decreases across
a period.

 The variation in atomic size are the result of two

opposing influences
1. Changes in n (# of shell)
2. Changes in Zeff (the effective nuclear charge
‘felt’ by a valence electron)

Down a group

Down each group there is one more shell added. The full
inner shells shield the outer electrons keeping Zeff the
same for the group. As added shell is further away from
the nucleus, the atomic radii gets larger.
 Atomic radii

Across a period

As we move across a period, the electrons are added to

the same outer shell. As the full inner shells shielding
the nuclear charge remains the same, Zeff rises across the
period. This pulls the outer electron shell closer
decreasing atomic radii.