Atomic and Ionic Radius

Objectives
• Compare period and group trends of several
properties
• Relate period and group trends in atomic radii
to electron configuration
 Atomic Radius
• The electron cloud surrounding the nucleus is
based on probability and does not have a
defined edge
• Atomic size is determined by how closely an
atom lies to a neighboring atom.
 Trends within periods
• In general, there is a decrease in atomic radii as
you move left to right across a period
• This is caused by the increasing positive charge in
the nucleus and the fact that the principal energy
level stays the same.
• Because the electrons are in the same energy
level, there is no “sheild” from the increased pull
of the nucleus.
• The result is that the increased nuclear charge
pulls the outermost electrons closer to the
nucleus.
Look at the trend within the periods.
 Trends within groups
• Atomic radii generally increase as you move
down a group.
• Moving down a group the outermost orbital
increases in size along with the increasing
principal energy level.
• The nuclear charge increases, but the
electrons are in a larger energy level with
more other levels “shielding” in between.
Look at the trend within groups.
Summarize this trend with arrows and
descriptive words.
 Practice Problems
• For each of the following pairs, predict which
atom is larger?
– Mg, Sr
– Sr, Sn
– Ge, Sn
– Ge, Br
– Cr, W
 Ionic Radius
• When an atom gains or loses electrons, it
becomes an ion.
• Because an electron is negatively charged,
atoms that lose or gain acquire a net charge
– If an atom loses electrons it becomes _________
– If an atom gains electrons it becomes _________
 Ionic Radius Continued
• When an atom loses electrons, they always
become smaller.

• When atoms gain electrons, they always

become larger.
 Trends within periods
• In general as you move left to right across a
period, the size of the positive ions gradually
decreases. Then, beginning in groups 5A or
6A, the size of the much larger negative ions
also gradually decreases.
Look at the trends for ionic size as you
move across a period.
 Trends within groups
• As you move down a group, an ion’s outer
electrons are in higher principal energy levels,
resulting in increased size.
Look at the trends in ionic size as you
move down a group
 Practice Problems
• For each of the following pairs, predict which
atom or ion is larger
– Mg, Mg2+
– S, S2-
– Ca2+, Ba2+
– Cl-1, I-1
– Na+1, Al3+