why is a nitrogen atom larger than an oxygen atom?

Question

Chemistry AS homework, why is a nitrogen atom (0.075 atomic radius/nm) larger than an oxygen atom (0.073 atomic radius/nm)?
If you don't know what nm means don't even try! :)
Thanks

Answer 1

Because God made it that way!

Hee hee :o)

Sounds a stupid q. to me. It's like saying Why is this piece of string longer than that piece? !

On the other hand, if I'd seen Mr, Sceptic's answer first, I wouldn't have bothered. It sounds so RIGHT!

Answer 2

Atomic Radius Nitrogen

Answer 3

The atomic no. of Nitrogen is 7 and 7 protons from nucleus apply less attraction force to valence orbit than the Oxygen having 8 protons in nucleus. So nitrogen atom is larger than oxygen.

Answer 4

Nitrogen is lager because of something called effective nuclear charge. Basically oxygen has more protons than nitrogen while both atoms electrons are on the same level. With more protons oxygen positive charge is higher and can pull that valence shell of electrons closer to the nucleus reducing its radius.
The periodic trend is as you go from left to right radius decreases. Think of it as adding a stronger magnet in the center but leaving the other magnet in the same place, the stronger magnet will pull the other one closer. As you go from top to bottom radius increases. The reason you see an increase when you go top to bottom although there are more protons is because the valence shell electrons are one step further away which counteracts the nucleus pull on it. Think of it as moving to magnets away from each other the further you get the less affect the magnets have on each other.

Answer 5

I know what nm means. For those who don't, it's nanometer.

I would say that it's larger because I don't really know. It just is. I just wanted to help out other answerers with the nm. No hate, pl0x.