Is atomic size and atomic radii different terms??
And why does the decreases on moving from left to right in the periodic table??
Dear student,
Atomic size is basically the size of whole atom and atomic radius is the distance between the centre of nucleus of an atom and the outermost shell.
Atomic size or atomic radius decreases on moving from left to right in a periodic table because in the same period the valence electrons are added to the same outermost shell means the number of electrons in the outermost shell increases but the no. of shells remains the same in a period and hence this increase the effective nuclear charge leading to the increase in attractions between the nucleus and the outermost shell electrons and therefore decrease the atomic size or atomic radii on moving from left to right in a periodic table.
Regards
Atomic size is basically the size of whole atom and atomic radius is the distance between the centre of nucleus of an atom and the outermost shell.
Atomic size or atomic radius decreases on moving from left to right in a periodic table because in the same period the valence electrons are added to the same outermost shell means the number of electrons in the outermost shell increases but the no. of shells remains the same in a period and hence this increase the effective nuclear charge leading to the increase in attractions between the nucleus and the outermost shell electrons and therefore decrease the atomic size or atomic radii on moving from left to right in a periodic table.
Regards