Which of the following elements has the smallest atomic radius?
Group of answer choices
chlorine
sulfur
bromine
selenium
I suggest you look up the radius of each element on the web. Then choose the smallest. I would go with Cl.
The element with the smallest atomic radius among the options provided is chlorine, as atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across a period on the periodic table.
To determine which element has the smallest atomic radius among chlorine, sulfur, bromine, and selenium, we need to consider their positions on the periodic table.
Atomic radius is generally defined as the distance from the nucleus to the outermost electrons of an atom. In a group (column) of the periodic table, the atomic radius tends to increase as you move down the group due to the addition of higher energy electron shells. In a period (row) from left to right, the atomic radius generally decreases due to increased effective nuclear charge (the attraction between the positively charged protons in the nucleus and the negatively charged electrons).
Chlorine, sulfur, bromine, and selenium belong to Group 16 or the oxygen group of the periodic table. As we move down Group 16, the atomic radius generally increases. Therefore, we can conclude that the element with the smallest atomic radius among the given options is chlorine, as it is the highest element in Group 16 and is located towards the top-left of the group.
So, the answer is chlorine.