Question
How is atomic radius of a nonmetallic element estimated?

Answer

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 $Cl_2$ is measured as $198 \ pm.$ Therefore, the atomic radius of $Cl$ is estimated to be $99 \ pm.$
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