Question

Would you expect the atomic radius for rubidium (element 37) to be larger or smaller than the atomic radius for element 36? Explain your reasoning

Answer 1

Smaller. Do you know why this might be? Any clues ?

Answer 2

Think of what each shell holds around its nucleus

Answer 3

electrons

Answer 4

can you please explain why its smaller?

Answer 5

Yes. Less electrons

Answer 6

so 37 is smaller than 36? because it has less electrons?

Answer 7

Oh 37 sorry other way around more electrons on 37

Answer 8

36 has 8 valence shells and 37 has 1

Answer 9

D:

Answer 10

yea

Answer 11

Yeah. So it's radius becomes smaller less spacing more attraction to center

Answer 12

okay so once again, is 36 smaller than 37 or is 37 smaller than 36

Answer 13

37 < 36

Answer 14

as you go righter in the periodic table the radius of the elements is getting smaller (there are more electrons in the same shell) and as you go down the periodic table the radius is getting bigger (there's a new shell that's wrapping the nucleus).

in your case element 36 is righter (=small)
also element 37 is lower (=big) ==> element 37 is bigger

Answer 15

The closer to the left the bigger the orbital gets a new shell making it bigger

Answer 16

Wait Ru is not 37

Answer 17

okay thanks
so 37 would be considered larger than 36

Answer 18

sorry I missread the question. ignore that. I thought I saw Ru not Rb.
Yes. Wallach is correct.

Answer 19

ok thanks =)

Answer 20

Let me begin from beginning. Same explanation tho. Since you're moving from a noble gas to a new shell, you're getting bigger. So yes, 37 IS larger than 36.
To be more clear, everytime you jump from a noble gas to a new row DOWN, then your atomic radius gets larger essentially. Because when you jump from 5p to 6s. You're putting new electrons in a 6s subshell

Answer 21

thankyou :)
that was very helpful !

Answer 22

Since p-orbital can occupy a maximum of 6 electrons, you must have a new shell to acommoadate for the new attached electrons. Its like adding a new layer to a sandwich. If you have a ham and cheese, but you add another layer or cheese, and then add another layer of lettuce, your ham and cheese is now smaller than your ham, cheese, cheese, and lettuce. Your bread has to expand due to the added ingredients.

Answer 23

also, when you're moving from left to right, although ur adding more electrons (negative charge), they are at similar distances to the nucleus; and the increasing nuclear charge "pulls" the electron clouds inwards, making the atomic radius smaller (remember plus is attracted to minus).