Question

1. which of these elements has the larger atomic radii and why? a. calcium has a larger atomic radius than bromine because the nucleus of calcium has a stronger pull on its electrons compared to bromine. b. calcium has a larger atomic radius than bromine because the nucleus of bromine has a stronger pull on its electrons compared to calcium. c. calcium has a larger atomic radius than bromine because calcium has fewer principal energy levels. d. calcium has a larger atomic radius than bromine because bromine has more principal energy levels.

Explanation:

Atomic radius trends in the periodic table state that atomic radius decreases across a period (from left - to - right) because the effective nuclear charge increases, pulling the electrons closer to the nucleus. Calcium and bromine are in the same period. Calcium is to the left of bromine. So calcium has a larger atomic radius than bromine because calcium has fewer principal energy levels than bromine, and the nucleus of calcium has a weaker pull on its electrons compared to the nucleus of bromine.

Answer:

A. Calcium has a larger atomic radius than bromine because the nucleus of calcium has a weaker pull on its electrons compared to the nucleus of bromine.