Which of the following has the smallest atomic radius?
A) N
B) F
C) Br
D) Cl
E) S

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All the elements belong to the halogen family and have the same number of valence electrons. However, as we move from left to right across a period, the number of protons in the nucleus increases, resulting in a greater attractive force on the electrons. This causes the atomic radius to decrease. Among the options given, F has the highest effective nuclear charge and therefore the smallest atomic radius.

Which of the Following Has the Smallest Atomic Radius