Periodic Meanings

Periodic Table : Meanings of Phrases

Atomic Radius is atomic size of an atom, preferably meaning the distance from the nucleus of an atom to valence electrons.

Ionization Energy means the energy an atom takes to remove an electron from it completely. This energy increases throughout the periodic table starting left and working its way right.

Electronegavity is the ability in an atom to lure another atom’s electrons to it; which creates a bond between the two atoms. The strength increases across a period, but going down a group, it decreases.

Electron Affinity is the change in energy when an atom adds an electron. Positive or negative affinity is determined by whether the atom becomes more or less stable when gaining the electron. This concept is directly related to the atom’s potential energy either increasing or decreasing.