
Activity A (continued from previous page)
8. Observe: What happens to the radius as you move across a period?
It tends to decrease.
9. Explore: Investigate other periods in the periodic table. Does the same trend occur? Yes.
Hypothesize why this trend occurs:
Answers will vary. [As you move across a period, the number of protons increases while the
number of energy levels stays constant. As a result, the cloud is pulled in more tightly.]
10. Analyze: Consider how the number of protons might affect the size of the electron cloud.
A. As you move across a period, are new energy levels added? No.
B. What happens to the number of protons in the nucleus as you move from one
element to the next across a period? The proton number increases.
C. If the proton number increases while the number of energy levels remains constant,
what happens to the attractive force between the nucleus and the electrons?
The attractive force becomes greater.
D. How does your answer to the previous question explain the trend in radii across a
period?
The attractive force is greater across a period, while the number of energy levels is
the same. Therefore, the electrons are pulled in more tightly.
11. Extend your thinking: The Gizmo enables you to examine ions, or atoms that have gained
or lost electrons. Select Na and turn on Show ion. Compare the radius of the neutral atom
to that of the ion. Repeat with Cl. Then look at other ions. See if you can find a pattern.
A. Why do you think the Na
+
ion is smaller than a neutral Na atom?
Answers will vary. [Fewer electrons minimize electron repulsions. Since there are
now more protons than electrons, the electron cloud is pulled in more tightly.]
B. Why do you think the Cl
-
ion is larger than a neutral Cl atom?
Answers will vary. [Increased number of electrons results in greater electron
repulsions, expanding the electron cloud. Since the number of protons has remained
constant, the nucleus is not able to pull in the cloud as tightly.]
Unlike neutral atoms, ions have a different number of electrons than protons. The electrons
are attracted to the protons and repelled by other electrons. If another electron is added, the
repulsion between electrons increases while the attractive force of the nucleus stays the
same. As a result, the electron cloud expands. If an electron is lost, the cloud is pulled in
more tightly. Electron repulsions decrease while the number of protons remains constant.
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