Q
QuestionChemistry

Why does atomic radius increase as you go from the top to the bottom of a chemical family?
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Answer

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Step 1
I'll solve this problem by explaining the key factors that cause atomic radius to increase when moving down a chemical family (group) in the periodic table.

Step 2
: Understanding Atomic Radius

Atomic radius is the distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell. As you move down a chemical family, the atomic radius increases due to two primary factors:

Final Answer

1. Addition of new electron shells 2. Increased electron shielding effect 3. Reduced effective nuclear attraction to outer electrons