Atomic Radii

Atomic radii refer to the size of an atom, typically measured from the nucleus to the outer edge of the electron cloud. This size is influenced by electron configuration, which describes how electrons are arranged around the nucleus. As you move across a period in the periodic table, atomic radii generally decrease due to increased positive charge in the nucleus attracting electrons more strongly. Conversely, moving down a group increases atomic radii because additional electron shells are added, making the atom larger despite the increased nuclear charge. Thus, atomic radii illustrate the balance between attraction and electron arrangement.