For a given Period, which is the smallest atom?

Answer 1

The inert gases are in fact the SMALLEST atoms of their respective Periods.

Do these data support the opening statement?

Units of #"picometre"-=1xx10^-12*m# are quoted............

And as we face the Table, atomic size DECREASES across the Period from right to left, and INCREASES down a Group, a column of the Periodic Table.

The Periodic decrease is a consequence of electronic structure. Incomplete electron shells shield the nuclear charge very ineffectively. Across the Period, #Z# wins, i.e. #"nucular charge"# wins. Down a Group, shielding by other electrons wins, and atomic radii increase markedly.

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Answer 2

Mateo Aguilar

Helium is the smallest atom for a given period.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.