medium · MCAT chem-phys
A researcher is studying the properties of Silicon (Z = 14) and Phosphorus (Z = 15).
Which element is expected to have the smaller atomic radius, and why?
- Silicon, because it has fewer electrons, causing less electron-electron repulsion.
- Phosphorus, because it is positioned further down the same group of the periodic table than Silicon.
- Silicon, because it has a smaller atomic mass than Phosphorus, giving it fewer total nucleons overall.
- Phosphorus, because its higher nuclear charge pulls the electron shells closer to the nucleus.
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