Questions: Using only the periodic table arrange the following elements in order of increasing atomic radius: neon, beryllium, fluorine, lithium Smallest Largest

Solution Steps

The atomic radius generally increases as you move down a group in the periodic table and decreases as you move across a period from left to right. This is because additional electron shells are added as you move down a group, increasing the size of the atom. Conversely, as you move across a period, the increasing nuclear charge pulls the electron cloud closer to the nucleus, reducing the atomic radius.

• Neon (Ne): Located in Group 18, Period 2.
• Beryllium (Be): Located in Group 2, Period 2.
• Fluorine (F): Located in Group 17, Period 2.
• Lithium (Li): Located in Group 1, Period 2.

All the elements are in Period 2, so we compare them based on their group number:

• Lithium (Li): Group 1, largest atomic radius in this set.
• Beryllium (Be): Group 2, smaller than Li.
• Fluorine (F): Group 17, smaller than Be.
• Neon (Ne): Group 18, smallest atomic radius in this set.

Final Answer