Question

How is atomic radius of a nonmetallic element estimated?

Answer 1

• The atomic size of a nonmetallic element is estimated from the distance between the two atoms bound together by a single covalent bond. From this, the covalent radius of the element is estimated.
• The internuclear distance in a diatomic molecule of an element is its covalent bond length. Half the covalent bond length gives the covalent radius.
• Bond length of Cl-Cl bond in Cl₂ is measured as 198 pm. Therefore, the atomic radius of Cl is estimated to be 99 pm.