What are the group trends for atomic radius?

1 Answer
Danielle X
Jul 1, 2018

Across a period: #darr#
Down a period: #uarr#

Explanation:

To be honest, the way I remember this is #color(darkblue)("francium (Fr)")#.

Fr has the #color(darkblue)("largest")# atomic radius. Therefore, as you move farther from francium, the smaller your radius will be. If you move closer to francium, the larger your radius.

https://glossary.periodni.com/glossary.php?en=periodic+table+of+the+elements

You can see Fr in the bottom left-hand corner. Therefore, if you move across any period from left to right, atomic radius will #color(darkblue)("decrease")# because you're moving farther from Fr.

Going down a period will #color(darkblue)("increase")# your atomic radius because you're moving closer to Fr.

Related questions
See all questions in Periodic Trends in Atomic Size
Impact of this question
11691 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License