In period 4 of the periodic table, the elements with highest and lowest atomic radii are respectively.
- Rb & Br
- Na & Cl
- K & Br
- K & Se
Answer
(3) K & Br
Solution
Period 4 contains the elements from K (Z = 19) to Kr (Z = 36); Rb and Na, Cl are not in period 4, so options (1) and (2) are ruled out.
Across a period the nuclear charge increases while electrons enter the same shell, so the atomic radius decreases from left to right.
Highest atomic radius: K (group 1)
Lowest atomic radius: Br (the last element before the noble gas; the noble gas Kr is not compared, since its radius is a van der Waals radius)
Se lies before Br, so it is larger than Br.
Answer: (3)