Question
Na, Mg and $\text{A} \ell$ are the elements having one, two and three valence electrons respectively. Which of these elements,
  1. Has the largest atomic radius.
  2. Is least reactive? Justify your answer stating reason for each.

Answer

  1. Na has the largest atomic radius as compared to Mg and Al because going along the period atomic radius decreases due to an increase of electrons and nuclear charge tends to pull the electrons closer to the nucleus and hence decrease the atomic radius.
  2. Al is smaller in size as compared to Na and Mg so it has lesser tendency to lose electron due to high effective nuclear charge.

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