Does F or O2 Have a Larger Atomic Radius?

Oxygen (O2) has a larger atomic radius compared to Fluorine (F).

Here’s why:

Atomic radius refers to the distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell of an atom. In the periodic table, atomic radius generally decreases as you move from left to right across a period. This is because the number of protons in the nucleus increases, leading to a stronger positive charge that pulls the electrons closer to the nucleus.

Fluorine (F) and Oxygen (O2) are both in the second period of the periodic table. Fluorine has 9 protons, while Oxygen has 8. The additional proton in Fluorine creates a stronger nuclear charge, pulling the electrons closer to the nucleus and resulting in a smaller atomic radius compared to Oxygen.

Therefore, Oxygen (O2) has a larger atomic radius than Fluorine (F).

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