In: Chemistry
Rank these elements according to atomic radius. K, Rb, Ca, Be, Mg
Increasing order (smallest) Be < Mg < Ca< K < Rb (largest)
Atomic size gradually decreases from left to right across a period of elements. K and Ca are of same period but K is in group 1 and Ca is in group 2, so atomic radius of K is greater than atomic radius of Ca.
K and Rb are of same group, but K belongs to period 4 while Rb to period 5. Moving top to bottom
atomic radius increases, so atomic radius of Rb is greater than atomic radius of K.
Ca, Be, Mg are of same group, Be belongs to period 2, Mg period 3 and Ca period 4. Moving top to bottom, atomic radius increases, so atomic radius of Ca is greater than atomic radius of Mg and atomic radius of Mg is greater than atomic radius of Be.