Answer to Question #265292 in Organic Chemistry for Jess

Question

Discuss the trend for the atomic radii across the first series of the transition metals

Answer 1

Atomic radii of the first transition series decrease from Sc to Cr, then remains almost constant till Ni and then increases from Cu to Zn. The reason of this variation in atomic radii has been attributed to the increase in nuclear charge in the beginning of the series. But as the electrons continue to be filled in d-orbitals, they screen the outer 4s electrons from the influence of nuclear charge. When the increased nuclear charge and the increased screening effect balance each other in the middle of transition series, the atomic radii become almost constant (Mn to Fe). Towards the end of the series, the repulsive interaction between electrons in orbitals become very dominant. As a result there is an expansion of the electron cloud; consequently, the atomic size increases.