Rank the following elements in order of increasing atomic size: P, F, Cs, Mg
A)Cs

Question

Rank the following elements in order of increasing atomic size: P, F, Cs, Mg
A)Cs < Mg < F < P
B)Cs < F < Mg < P
C)F < P < Mg < Cs
D)P < Mg < F < Cs
E)Cs < Mg < P < F

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Atomic size increases as you move down a group in the periodic table and decreases as you move across a period from left to right. Cs is in group 1 (alkali metals) and is the largest because it is the furthest down. F is in group 17 (halogens) and is the smallest because it is the furthest up and to the right. P and Mg are between these two, with P being larger than Mg because it is to the right of Mg in the same period.

Rank the Following Elements in Order of Increasing Atomic Size