On the periodic table, the number of valence electrons in atoms increases left to right across a period. What effect does this have on the ionic radii of the elements?

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Chemistry

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8 August, 11:26

On the periodic table, the number of valence electrons in atoms increases left to right across a period. What effect does this have on the ionic radii of the elements?

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Davin Harris · Answer 1

The radii of elements decreases from left to right, as the number of valence electrons increases. This occurs because of the increasing positive-negative attraction between the protons and the electrons (remember that protons are added from left to right as well). Group 1 elements have the largest radius of their period, while Group 18 have the smallest of their period.