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Explanations for atomic trends going across a period ( )

Explanation
According to Coulomb’s Law, the force of attraction
between charges is directly proportional to the
magnitude of the charges and inversely
proportional to the distance between the charges.
Since Zeff is increasing across a period, while the
distance and the shielding remain constant, there is
more attraction between the protons in the nucleus
and the outside electrons of elements to the right
Trend Definition of Trend Cause of a period -
Going across a period,
The distance from the center of the atom to
Effective Nuclear
the valence electrons of the atom decreases
Atomic Radius Charge (Zeff) increases. - causing those atoms to be more compact.
across a period.
Distance and shielding
The size of the atom decreases across a period.
remain constant.
Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to
Going across a period,
attract electrons while forming a bond in a
Effective Nuclear
compound. More electronegative elements - causing those elements to be more
Electronegativity Charge (Zeff) increases.
hold the bond electrons “tighter” or closer to electronegative.
Distance and shielding
themselves. Electronegativity increases across
remain constant.
a period.
Ionization Energy is the amount of energy
Going across a period,
required to remove one electron from an atom
Effective Nuclear
Ionization in gaseous state. Higher ionization energy - making it harder to remove electrons from those
Charge (Zeff) increases.
Energy means that it takes more energy to remove one elements.
Distance and shielding
electron from an atom. Ionization energy
remain constant.
increases across a period.
Cations are smaller than their neutral atoms.
Going across a period,
The radius of cations decreases across a period.
Effective Nuclear
Anions are larger than their neutral atoms. The
Ionic Radius Charge (Zeff) increases. - causing those ions to be more compact.
radius of anions decreases across a period.
Distance and shielding
In a given period, the anions are larger than the
remain constant.
cations.
Explanation for atomic trends going down a group (↓)

Explanation
According to Coulomb’s Law, the force of attraction
between charges is directly proportional to the
magnitude of the charges and inversely proportional
to the distance between the charges. Since there are
more energy levels going down a group, the distance
between the protons in the nucleus and the outside
electrons increases. For the same reason, there is also
more shielding, keeping Zeff constant. These two
things combined mean that there is less attraction
between the protons in the nucleus and the outside
Trend Definition of Trend Cause electrons of elements down a group -
The distance from the center of the atom to the Going down a group,
valence electrons of the atom increases going distance and shielding
Atomic Radius down a group. increase. Effective - causing those atoms to be larger.
The size of the atom increases going down a Nuclear Charge (Zeff)
group. remains constant.
Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to
Going down a group,
attract electrons while forming a bond in a
distance and shielding
compound. More electronegative elements hold
Electronegativity increase. Effective - causing those elements to be less electronegative.
the bond electrons “tighter” or closer to
Nuclear Charge (Zeff)
themselves. Electronegativity decreases going
remains constant.
down a group.
Ionization Energy is the amount of energy
Going down a group,
required to remove one electron from an atom in
distance and shielding
gaseous state. Higher ionization energy means - making it easier to remove electrons from those
Ionization Energy increase. Effective
that it takes more energy to remove one electron elements.
Nuclear Charge (Zeff)
from an atom. Ionization energy decreases going
remains constant.
down a group.
Going down a group,
Cations are smaller than their neutral atoms. distance and shielding
Ionic Radius Anions are larger than their neutral atoms. increase. Effective - causing those ions to be less compact.
The radius of ions increases going down a group. Nuclear Charge (Zeff)
remains constant.

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