Why is the atomic radius decreasing for some atoms ,in the periodic table, as they increase in mass?

Answer 1

this happens ina period of periodic table as we go from left to right say second period from lithium to neon. this is because electrons are being added to same shell (n=2) while nuclear charge increases from 3 to 10

Answer 2

The atomic radius is the diatance from the centre of the atom to the outermost electron. As the atomic mass increases, the extra protons pull the electrons in more tightly reducing the radius. Then at the end of each family, you start a new layer of electrons and the radius suddenly jumps dramatically

Answer 3

The previous answers are all correct, but there are some situations where an atom fills it orbitals in exceptional patterns. An example is copper, which should have 9 atoms in its 3d (with 1 slot remaining) and 2 atoms in its 4s (full). Instead it filled the 3d orbitals up with 10 atoms, and left its 4s with only 1, thus changing the filling order, and decreasing the atomic radius.

Answer 4

as atoms move across and down the periodic table, the have more protons, neutrons, and electrons. This cause a magnetic attraction which draws the subatomic particles closer together. Thus, they are smaller in diameter, but carry much more mass.

Answer 5

because if you increase the mass you increase the number of protons => you increase the attraction between the nucleus and the electrons... => radius decreases

Answer 6

atoms are mostly empty space.

think of them like a solar system. a few protons and neutrons in the middle (the sun) and a few electrons swirling about (like planets).

the distance the electrons are from the core (protons and neutrons) has absoluely no relation to the weight of the core and electrons.