Question

Arrange these atoms from the smallest to the largest atomic radius: C, Li, Na, Ne.

Answer 1

As you go down a Group in the Periodic Table from top to bottom, the number of energy levels or electron shells increases so the atomic radius of the elements increases.

Hence Li < Na

In each period, the atomic radius decreases from left to right across the periodic table. As we go from left to right along a period, more proton is added to the nucleus and electrons are added to the same shell. The increased nuclear charge causes a decrease in radi.

Hence Li > C > Ne

The order is Ne < C < Li < Na