NUCLEAR CHARGE

• What does the nucleus of an atom contain?

  Positively charged protons
• How do protons affect electrons in an atom?

  Protons attract negatively charged electrons
• How are electrons arranged in an atom?

  In shells around the nucleus
• What is the role of inner electrons regarding outer electrons?

  Inner electrons shield outer electrons from nuclear charge
• What is the shielding effect in atomic structure?

  Inner electrons block outer electrons from full nuclear charge
• What do outermost electrons experience due to shielding?

  A reduced nuclear charge
• What is effective nuclear charge?

  The positive charge felt by outermost electrons
• What is the relationship between effective nuclear charge and outer electrons?

  • Effective nuclear charge is the charge felt by outer electrons.
  • It is reduced due to the shielding effect of inner electrons.
• What does the nucleus of an atom contain?

  Positively charged protons
• How do protons affect electrons in an atom?

  Protons attract negatively charged electrons
• How are electrons arranged in an atom?

  In shells around the nucleus
• What is the role of inner electrons in relation to outer electrons?

  Inner electrons shield outer electrons from nuclear charge
• What is the shielding effect in atomic structure?

  Inner electrons block outer electrons from full nuclear charge
• What do outermost electrons experience due to the shielding effect?

  A reduced nuclear charge
• What is effective nuclear charge?

  The positive charge felt by outermost electrons
• What is the relationship between effective nuclear charge and outer electrons?

  • Effective nuclear charge is the charge felt by outermost electrons.
  • It is reduced due to the shielding effect of inner electrons.
• What happens to protons as we move across a period in the periodic table?

  Each element gains one more proton
• Why does the shielding effect stay the same across a period?

  Electrons are added to the same shell
• What is the result of more protons pulling on electrons without added shielding?

  The effective nuclear charge increases
• How does the increase in effective nuclear charge affect electrons?

  Electrons feel more tightly pulled in
• What explains the decrease in atomic radius across a period?

  The increase in effective nuclear charge
• What are the key factors affecting effective nuclear charge across a period?

  • Protons increase in the nucleus
  • Shielding effect remains relatively constant
  • Stronger attraction between protons and electrons