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UPCAT Science practice question 23: As you move down a group in the periodic table, atomic radius generally

Correct answer

D. increases

Each period down adds a new electron shell, placing the outermost electrons farther from the nucleus.

As you move down a group in the periodic table, atomic radius generally

  1. decreases
  2. stays the same
  3. increases then decreases sharply
  4. increasesCorrect

Why D is correct

Each period down adds a new electron shell, placing the outermost electrons farther from the nucleus.

Why the other options are wrong

A decreases
This is the trend across a *period*, left to right, where increasing nuclear charge pulls the same shell inward.
B stays the same
Ignores that each step down a group adds an entirely new electron shell.
C increases then decreases sharply
Describes no real periodic trend.
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