Question

Consider the following graph,

The plot has a steep slope from $Li$ to $Be$ but has much less steeper slope from $O$ to $F$. This is due to the fact that

• A. atomic number increases from $Li$ to $F$
• B. nuclear charge increases from $Li$ to $F$
• C. metallic character decreases from $Li$ to $F$
• D. inter-electronic repulsion in atom increases from $Li$ to $F$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

As we move left to right in a period, the number of electron in outer shell increases with increase in atomic number. This results in increase in inter-electronic repulsions in the outermost shell from $Li$ to $F$.
Therefore, decrease in radius from $O$ to $F$ is not as much as that is in case of from $Li$ to $Be$.