2021 · Q30
Which one of the following properties decreases across the periodic table from left to right and increases from top to bottom?
general-sciencechemistry
- AIonization energy
- BElectron affinity
- CElectronegativity
- DAtomic radius
Explanation
Atomic radius decreases across a period from left to right because the increasing nuclear charge pulls the electron shells closer, and it increases down a group because new electron shells are added. Ionization energy, electron affinity and electronegativity show the opposite trends — they increase across a period and decrease down a group. Hence atomic radius is the property described.