The distance between the nuclei of two covalent bonded atoms is known as covaLent distance or internuclear distance. The one – half of this inter-nuclear distance is called covalent radius. The covalent distance (Cl – Cl) of Cl2 molecule is experimentally found as 198 pm (1.98 A). Its covalent radius is 99 pm (0.99 Å).
Cl – Cl Inter nuclear distance = 1.98 Å
∴ rCl = 1.98/2 = 0.99 Å.
