As the effective nuclear charge increases, what happens to the atomic radius?

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Multiple Choice

As the effective nuclear charge increases, what happens to the atomic radius?

Explanation:
When the effective nuclear charge felt by the outer electrons increases, the nucleus pulls those electrons in more strongly. That stronger attraction compresses the electron cloud, making the atomic radius smaller. Across a period, protons increase while shielding stays relatively constant, so Z_eff rises and atoms become smaller. So the correct trend is that the atomic radius decreases as the effective nuclear charge increases.

When the effective nuclear charge felt by the outer electrons increases, the nucleus pulls those electrons in more strongly. That stronger attraction compresses the electron cloud, making the atomic radius smaller. Across a period, protons increase while shielding stays relatively constant, so Z_eff rises and atoms become smaller. So the correct trend is that the atomic radius decreases as the effective nuclear charge increases.

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