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Question
why is nitrogen above phosphorus on the periodic table? it has fewer electrons it has more protons it has a larger atomic radius it has a smaller atomic radius
Elements are arranged in the periodic table in order of increasing atomic number. Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7 and phosphorus has an atomic number of 15. Nitrogen has fewer electrons as its atomic number is lower. Atomic number equals number of protons and electrons in a neutral atom. Also, as we move down a group, atomic radius increases. Nitrogen is above phosphorus in Group 15, so nitrogen has fewer electrons and a smaller atomic radius compared to phosphorus. But the key reason for its position above is the lower number of electrons (and protons as atomic number = proton number = electron number in neutral state).
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It has fewer electrons