Pop chem quiz!

aldfig0
Mon, 26 Nov 2012 04:45:16 +0000

The problem states that we are dealing with atoms which is good (ionic radii can make this a bit weird). I assume that H and J represent elements on the periodic table.

Atomic radii decrease going from left to right of a period. So H has to be to the right of J on the periodic table because it was stated that H was smaller in the question. Elements on the right side of a period have a bigger atomic number than elements on the left side. Atomic number denotes the number of protons, so H, which is on the right side, has more protons in its nucleus compared to J. The only other particles in the nucleus besides protons are neutrons, which do not affect the charge of the nucleus. So H, having more protons, has a greater positive charge in its nucleus, which is answer choice A.