Question

The atomic radii of noble gases are larger than those of the corresponding halogens. Explain.

Answer 1

1. Atomic radii of noble gases are their van der Waals radii, which are larger than covalent radii of halogens.
2. Noble gases have fully filled valence shells, causing increased electron-electron repulsion that expands their size.
3. Halogens have one less electron and form covalent bonds, resulting in smaller atomic radii.
4. Moving down the group, atomic size increases for both noble gases and halogens due to added electron shells.

Thus, noble gases atomic radii are larger than those of corresponding halogens in the same period.