Atomic Radii of Transition Elements

When a transition metal ion forms a cation, from which orbital are electrons removed first?

• 3d

• 4s

• 3s

• 3p

What is the general trend in atomic radius from Sc to Cr in the first row of transition elements?

• Increases
  

• Remains constant
  

• Decreases
  

• Irregular

Why does the atomic radius remain nearly constant from Mn to Ni?

• Proton number decreases
  

• Electrons move to the 4s orbital

• Electrons are added to outer shell
  

• Screening effect from 3d electrons cancels increased nuclear charge
  

What happens to the 4s electrons when a transition metal loses electrons to form a cation?

• They are the last to be removed
  

• They remain unchanged
  

• They are removed before 3d electrons
  

• They combine with 3d electrons

Which of the following explains the variation in atomic radii in the first-row transition metals?

• Constant nuclear charge
  

• Decrease in proton number
  

• Balance between nuclear charge and electron screening
  

• Addition of electrons to 4p orbitals