Understanding the Periodic Table and Atomic Trends

What does the period number of an element in the periodic table indicate?

• The number of neutrons in the nucleus

• The number of electron shells or orbitals

• The number of valence electrons

• The number of protons in the nucleus

How does the atomic radius change as you move across a period from left to right?

• It increases

• It remains the same

• It fluctuates randomly

• It decreases

What is the primary reason for the decrease in atomic radius across a period?

• Addition of more neutrons

• Increase in the number of electron shells

• Decrease in the number of protons

• Electromagnetic attraction pulling electrons inward

How does the ionic radius of cations compare to their parent atoms?

• Cations are larger

• Cations have the same size

• Cations have a variable size

• Cations are smaller

Why are anions generally larger than their parent atoms?

• Because they lose electrons

• Because they gain protons

• Due to a decrease in electron shells

• Due to increased repulsions between added electrons