Question

Answer the following:
Write the name of the atom having the smallest size.

Hint:

The atomic size of an element depends on the number of protons, electrons, and occupied energy levels. Hydrogen has the smallest atomic radius because it has only one proton and one electron in the first energy level.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding atomic size
The size of an atom is determined by the distance of the outermost electrons from the nucleus. It is influenced by the number of protons, electrons, and energy levels. Step 2: Identifying the smallest atom
- Hydrogen (\(\text{H}\)) has only one proton and one electron, making it the smallest atom in the periodic table. - It has only one energy level (\(n=1\)), which is the closest possible shell to the nucleus. - As there are no inner electrons to shield the nucleus, the electron remains tightly bound, resulting in a small atomic radius. Step 3: Comparison with other elements
- Helium (\(\text{He}\)) has a small atomic size but experiences greater nuclear attraction due to two protons, making it slightly smaller in some cases but still comparable to hydrogen. - Lithium (\(\text{Li}\)) and other elements have larger atomic radii due to additional energy levels. Thus, the correct answer is Hydrogen.