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Which one of the following alternatives lists the atoms of chlorine, fluorine, magnesium and potassium in order of increasing atomic radius? A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 17 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 17
Which one of the following alternatives lists the atoms of chlorine, fluorine, magnesium and potassium in order of increasing atomic radius? A. (smallest) K, Mg, Cl... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which one of the following alternatives lists the atoms of chlorine, fluorine, magnesium and potassium in order of increasing atomic radius? A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 17 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
Order the Elements by Atomic Radius
Answer
To determine the order of atomic radii for chlorine (Cl), fluorine (F), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K), we must consider their positions in the periodic table. Generally, atomic radius increases down a group and decreases across a period.
- Fluorine (F) is in Group 17 (halogens) and has the smallest atomic radius due to its high electronegativity and position in the periodic table.
- Chlorine (Cl) is also in Group 17 but is one period down from fluorine, making it larger than fluorine.
- Magnesium (Mg), in Group 2, has a larger atomic radius than chlorine as it is further left in the periodic table.
- Potassium (K) is in Group 1 and has the largest atomic radius among these atoms.
From this analysis, we determine the increasing order of atomic radii as follows: F < Cl < Mg < K.
Step 2