Which has a larger radius?

P$^{3-}$ or S$^{2-}$

Question

Which has a larger radius?

P$^{3-}$  or  S$^{2-}$

preetha · Answer

HAve you taken a look at the periodic table yet?

anonymous · Answer

Yea, I know that Phosphorus has a greater Effective Nuclear Charge and greater Ionization energy but the Special case between P and S is throwing me off

preetha · Answer

If you look, you will find that P is before S, on the sam row.  The trend for atomic size is that S is smaller than P.  More protons, more pull, smaller atom.  P>S.
Now these two species you have are ions.  P has 3 extra electrons and S has 2 extra electrons.  More electrons in an ion means more repulsion between the electrons, and less effective nuclear charge.  So P3- is bigger than S2-.

goformit100 · Answer

@yummydum LUCKY! day for you. Madam @Preetha is Helping you.

anonymous · Answer

oh, that makes sense!

anonymous · Answer

@Preetha can I post one more question and tag you?