Answer to Question #242296 in General Chemistry for Samyuktaa

Question

On the basis of periodic trends, choose the larger atom in each pair. Explain your choices.

(a) C or Ge (b) N or Al

Answer 1

a). Ge has the largest atom since it is in period 4 and is having more energy levels than C (period 2). The outermost energy level of Ge is less attracted to the positive charges than that of C widening its radius and this makes the atom to be large.

b). Al has a large atom than N since Al is in period 3 while N is in period 2. Since the atomic radius increases with increase in period Al has a larger atom than N.