Question
Which element has the smallest atomic radius? Flourine (Fl). Neon (Ne). Carbon (C). Oxygen (O)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The element with the smallest atomic radius among fluorine (F), neon (Ne), carbon (C), and oxygen (O) is neon (Ne).
In general, atomic radius tends to decrease across a period in the periodic table due to increasing nuclear charge, which pulls the electron cloud closer to the nucleus. Although fluorine is in the same period as neon and has a smaller radius than carbon and oxygen, neon being a noble gas has a complete outer shell and a smaller effective radius compared to fluorine.
Therefore, the correct answer is neon (Ne).
In general, atomic radius tends to decrease across a period in the periodic table due to increasing nuclear charge, which pulls the electron cloud closer to the nucleus. Although fluorine is in the same period as neon and has a smaller radius than carbon and oxygen, neon being a noble gas has a complete outer shell and a smaller effective radius compared to fluorine.
Therefore, the correct answer is neon (Ne).