The correct order of atomic size of C, N, P, S follows the order ?

Options

A. N lt C lt S lt P
B. N lt C lt P lt S
C. C lt N lt S lt P
D. C lt N lt P lt S

Answer

To determine the correct order of atomic sizes for Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Sulfur (S), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Periodic Table Position
- Carbon (C) is in Group 14 and Period 2.
- Nitrogen (N) is in Group 15 and Period 2.
- Phosphorus (P) is in Group 15 and Period 3.
- Sulfur (S) is in Group 16 and Period 3.

### Step 2: Analyze Atomic Size Trends
- Atomic size decreases as you move from left to right across a period due to increasing effective nuclear charge.
- Atomic size increases as you move down a group due to the addition of electron shells.

### Step 3: Compare Elements in the Same Period
- In Period 2, we compare Carbon and Nitrogen:
- Carbon (C) is larger than Nitrogen (N) because it is to the left in the same period.

- In Period 3, we compare Phosphorus and Sulfur:
- Phosphorus (P) is larger than Sulfur (S) because it is to the left in the same period.

### Step 4: Compare Elements Across Different Periods
- Compare Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P):
- Phosphorus (P) is larger than Nitrogen (N) because it is in a lower period (Period 3 vs. Period 2).

- Compare Carbon (C) and Sulfur (S):
- Sulfur (S) is larger than Carbon (C) because it is in a lower period (Period 3 vs. Period 2).

### Step 5: Compile the Sizes
From the above comparisons, we can summarize the sizes as follows:
- Phosphorus (P) > Sulfur (S) > Carbon (C) > Nitrogen (N)

### Final Order of Atomic Sizes
Thus, the correct order of atomic size from largest to smallest is:
**P > S > C > N**

### Conclusion
The correct answer is the first option, which states the order as Phosphorus > Sulfur > Carbon > Nitrogen.

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