Question

why are sodium atoms larger than magnesium atoms?

Answer 1

same number of electrons, different number of protons. This translates into a higher effective nuclear charge (for \(Mg^{2+}\)) which means a stronger electric field.

Answer 2

@aaronq not equal number of electrons, unless they're asking about the \(ions\)_ of both, which they are not. The stronger \(Z_{eff}\) still works, but the neutral atoms don't have equal electrons

Answer 3

i read the question as if they were talking about their ionic forms, ma bad