Which is the bigger atom, argon or chlorine?

1 Answer
Feb 26, 2017

It is..........?

Explanation:

As a physical scientist, you should consult the data. See this site. The atomic radius of #Ar# is #71xx10^-12*m#; that of atomic chlorine is #79xx10^-12*m#. And this illustrates a general Periodic Trend: atomic size decreases across a Period from left to right as we face the Table; it INCREASES down a Group.

Incomplete electronic shells shield the nuclear charge very ineffectively, and this is certainly apparent with the given data.