everyday science MCQ #48834

Across Period 3 from sodium to chlorine what is the general trend in atomic radius for isolated neutral atoms?

everyday science MCQ #48834

  1. Question 1

    Q1. Across Period 3 from sodium to chlorine what is the general trend in atomic radius for isolated neutral atoms?

    • A) It increases steadily because each step adds a new electron shell
    • B) It decreases overall because the rising nuclear charge pulls the same-shell electrons closer
    • C) It stays exactly the same because all are in Period 3
    • D) It increases only for metals then drops to zero for nonmetals

    Answer: It decreases overall because the rising nuclear charge pulls the same-shell electrons closer

    Explanation: Across Period 3, nuclear charge increases from +11 (Na) to +17 (Cl) while electrons are added to the same third shell; the stronger nuclear pull draws the electron cloud inward, steadily decreasing atomic radius.