Question

Atomic radius goes on increasing down the 'group'.

Hint:

Remember: Atomic radius increases as we move down a group due to the addition of electron shells and reduced nuclear attraction.

Answer 1

Atomic radius is defined as the distance from the nucleus of an atom to the outermost electron. As we move down a group in the periodic table, the number of electron shells increases. As the number of electron shells increases, the outermost electrons are farther from the nucleus. Although the nuclear charge increases, the effect of the added electron shells reduces the attractive force between the nucleus and the outer electrons, allowing the atomic radius to increase. For example, the atomic radius increases from lithium (Li) to cesium (Cs) as we move down Group 1 of the periodic table.