Which region of the periodic table contains the atoms with the largest atomic radius?

• A. Bottom right corner
• B. Bottom left corner
• C. Top left corner
• D. Top right corner

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that atomic radius generally changes in a predictable way across the periodic table: it decreases from left to right across a period and increases from top to bottom down a group.
2. Recognize that moving from left to right across a period, the number of protons increases, pulling electrons closer to the nucleus and decreasing atomic radius.
3. Recognize that moving down a group, additional electron shells are added, increasing the distance between the nucleus and the outermost electrons, which increases atomic radius.
4. Combine these trends to identify that the largest atomic radius will be found where the number of electron shells is greatest (bottom) and the effective nuclear charge is smallest (left side).
5. Conclude that the bottom left corner of the periodic table contains atoms with the largest atomic radius.