Question

What is meant by covalent radius of the atom? Explain with suitable examples.

Answer 1

• In the case of nonmetals (except noble gases), the atoms of an element are bonded to each other by covalent bonds.
• Bond length of a single bond is taken as sum of radii of the two single bonded atoms. This is called covalent radius of the atom.
• For example: Bond length of C-C bond in diamond is 154 pm. Therefore, atomic radius of carbon is estimated to be 77 pm which is half of bond length (\(\frac{1}{2}\) × 154 = 77).