Question

How does the ionic radius of a nonmetal compare with its atomic radius? Explain why the change in radius occur?

Answer 1

Well, non-metals are OXIDIZING....

Explanation:

And look at fluorine, and oxygen, these are potent oxidants...that accept electrons...

And thus the anions that result upon reduction...should be LARGER than the parent atoms...because electrons have been added to the valence shell...the electrons experience enhanced shieldng in the anion...

But as chemists, as physical scientists we should interrogate the data...

The units are in `"picometres"` `1*"pm"-=1xx10^-12*m`. Do the data support the argument advanced? Why are the ionic radii of the metals LESS than the atomic radii..