Atomic Radius In Periodic Table

What is Atomic Radius?

The atomic radius is a measure of the size of an atom. In simple terms, it's the distance from the center of the nucleus to the outermost electron shell. However, defining the exact boundary of an atom's electron cloud is difficult because it lacks a sharp, well-defined edge. Therefore, atomic radius is typically measured as a fraction of the distance between the nuclei of two adjacent atoms in a molecule or a crystal lattice.

1.0Types of Atomic Radii

Atomic radius can be categorized into different types based on the nature of the bonding and interactions between atoms:

Covalent Radius

The covalent radius refers to half the distance between the nuclei of two identical atoms bonded together by a single covalent bond. It is commonly used for non-metallic elements that form covalent bonds.

Metallic Radius

The metallic radius is defined as half the distance between the nuclei of two adjacent atoms in a metallic lattice. This measurement is relevant for metals, where atoms are arranged in a closely packed structure.

Van der Waals Radius

The van der Waals radius represents half the distance between the nuclei of two non-bonded atoms in a solid. It is significant for noble gases and molecular crystals where weak van der Waals forces are present. 

2.0Trends in the Periodic Table

Trend of Atomic Radius Across a Period

• Atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across a period.
• Reason: As you move from left to right, the number of protons in the nucleus increases by one with each element. While an electron is added to the same valence shell, the increased nuclear charge (Z_eff) pulls all the electrons, including the valence electrons, closer to the nucleus. This stronger attraction shrinks the size of the atom.
• Example: The atomic radius of Lithium (Li) is larger than that of Beryllium (Be), which is larger than Boron (B), and so on, across the second period.

Trend of Atomic Radius Down a Group

• Atomic radius generally increases as you move down a group.
• Reason: As you move down a group, a new electron shell is added to each successive element. The inner-shell electrons effectively shield the outermost electrons from the nucleus, decreasing the effective nuclear charge experienced by the valence electrons.
• This increase in the number of shells outweighs the increase in nuclear charge, resulting in a significant increase in the distance of the valence electrons from the nucleus.
• Example: The atomic radius of Lithium (Li) is smaller than that of Sodium (Na), which is smaller than Potassium (K), and so on, down Group 1.

Anomalies and Exceptions

While the general trends are clear, a few anomalies are worth noting for JEE:

• Lanthanide Contraction: In the 6th period, after Lanthanum, the atomic radii of the elements (lanthanides) decrease gradually. This is due to the poor shielding effect of the f-orbitals, which are being filled. This contraction results in the atomic radii of elements in the 5d series (e.g., Hafnium, Hf) being very similar to those in the 4d series (e.g., Zirconium, Zr).
• Noble Gases: The Van der Waals radius of noble gases is typically larger than the covalent or metallic radii of the preceding halogen or alkali metal. However, this is because a different type of radius is being measured. When comparing covalent radii, the trend holds.

3.0Factors Influencing Atomic Radius

Several factors affect the atomic radius of an element:

Effective Nuclear Charge

The effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge experienced by an electron in a multi-electron atom. An increase in effective nuclear charge pulls electrons closer to the nucleus, decreasing the atomic radius.

Shielding Effect

Inner electron shells shield outer electrons from the full attraction of the nucleus. As the number of inner shells increases, the shielding effect becomes more significant, leading to a larger atomic radius.

Electron-Electron Repulsion

Repulsion between electrons in the same shell can cause the electron cloud to expand, slightly increasing the atomic radius.

4.0Comparison of Atomic and Ionic Radii

The size of an atom changes when it forms an ion:

• Cations: Positively charged ions formed by the loss of electrons. Cations are smaller than their parent atoms due to the reduced electron-electron repulsion and increased effective nuclear charge.
• Anions: Negatively charged ions formed by the gain of electrons. Anions are larger than their parent atoms because the added electrons increase electron-electron repulsion, expanding the electron cloud.

Understanding these differences is crucial for predicting ionic bonding and properties of compounds.

5.0Applications of Atomic Radius

Knowledge of atomic radii is essential in various areas of chemistry:

• Predicting Bond Lengths: The sum of the atomic radii of two bonded atoms approximates the bond length.
• Understanding Reactivity: Elements with larger atomic radii tend to be more reactive due to the lower ionization energy required to remove valence electrons.
• Material Science: Atomic size influences the properties of materials, such as density and conductivity.