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Answer: Nuclear charge increases while electrons enter the same shell, so the outer electrons are pulled closer.

Across a period the atomic number increases by one at each step, so the positive charge on the nucleus increases. The added electrons go into the same outermost shell, and the number of shells stays the same. The greater nuclear charge attracts the outer electrons more strongly towards the nucleus, so the atomic radius decreases from left to right.

Doubtly AI · 24 Oct 2026 AI-verified · Oct 2026 Report
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