Kaplan: Atomic Radius of Transition Metals

[SaintJude]

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Let me just post the original question:

Among the elements with partially filled p subshells, atomic radii decrease significantly from left to right across a period while the atomic radii of transition metals change only slightly from left to right across a period. Why?

Edit: Yeah, I should have written decrease!

 

[Ssina]

As we move from left to right in the periodic table, the atomic radii generally increases.
Why do the atomic radii of transition metals change only slightly while the radii of elements with partially filled subshells increase relatively significantly ?

I can post the original discrete question if anyone would like that as well.

you mean decreases?!
do you mean transition metals vs. non-transition metals?!
(EDIT: nevermind, the numbers are all over the place some increases, others decrease!)

 

[JD7]

I would say it's due to the weak effective nuclear charge on "d" electrons.

 

[chiddler]

I have no clue. I don't think it's significant to know because I don't remember learning it in my chemistry classes, nor do I remember reading it in any of the mcat books.

I also found this:

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/qandc/transition1.html

if it helps.

 

[osprey099]

Let me just post the original question:

Among the elements with partially filled p subshells, atomic radii decrease significantly from left to right across a period while the atomic radii of transition metals change only slightly from left to right across a period. Why?

Edit: Yeah, I should have written decrease!

The effective nuclear charge has a minor effect on d electrons. There is increased shielding in transition metals due to the increase in electrons.