Which of the following elements has a larger atomic radius than sulfur (S)?

• A. Fluorine (F)
• B. Oxygen (O)
• C. Chlorine (Cl)
• D. Cadmium (Cd)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that atomic radius generally increases as you move down a group (column) in the periodic table because additional electron shells are added, making the atom larger.
2. Also remember that atomic radius generally decreases as you move from left to right across a period (row) due to increasing nuclear charge pulling electrons closer to the nucleus.
3. Locate sulfur (S) on the periodic table: it is in period 3, group 16.
4. Compare sulfur to the given elements: Fluorine (F) and Oxygen (O) are in period 2, which is above sulfur, so they have smaller atomic radii; Chlorine (Cl) is in period 3 but to the right of sulfur, so it has a smaller atomic radius than sulfur.
5. Cadmium (Cd) is in period 5, group 12, which is much lower and to the left of sulfur, so it has more electron shells and less effective nuclear charge per electron, resulting in a larger atomic radius than sulfur.