Effective nuclear charge and shielding Original Scenario-Based Practice

Questions

1. 1.

   A research probe designed to navigate submicroscopic realms measures the electrostatic fields surrounding isolated neutral atoms of phosphorus ($Z = 15$) and chlorine ($Z = 17$). The probe's sensors detect that even though a chlorine atom possesses more total electrons than a phosphorus atom, its outermost electrons experience a substantially stronger inward electrostatic pull. Which statement correctly accounts for this phenomenon based on the concepts of shielding and effective nuclear charge?

   • A) Chlorine contains fewer inner electron shells than phosphorus, which drastically reduces the total shielding effect around its nucleus.
   • B) The valence electrons in chlorine completely shield each other from positive charge, allowing the nucleus to pull without any repulsive interference.
   • C) The additional protons in chlorine are neutralized by extra inner-core electrons, reducing the net repulsion experienced across the entire valence shell.
   • D) Both elements have the same number of core shielding electrons, but chlorine's greater nuclear charge yields a higher effective nuclear charge that draws valence electrons more tightly.

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