Question

Examine the trend in atomic radius from left to right across a period by clicking on all the elements in the 2nd period. List their atomic radii below (pm = picometer or 1 x 10-12 m).
Li Be B C N O F Ne

Answer 1

Group Trend

Higher principal energy levels consist of orbitals which are larger in size than the orbitals from lower energy levels. The effect of the greater number of principal energy levels outweighs the increase in nuclear charge, and so atomic radius increases down a group.