What is Nuclear Charge on Periodic Table

What is Nuclear Charge on Periodic Table?

Nuclear charge is the positive charge present in the nucleus of an atom, which is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus, i.e., the atomic number. An increase in the nuclear charge will decrease the atomic size as their electrons are attracted towards the nucleus with a greater force, thereby bringing the outermost shell closer to the nucleus.

Effect of Nuclear Charge on Atomic Size in the Periodic Table

Atomic size depends on the nuclear charge as well as the number of shells. With increase in nuclear charge, on moving down a group, the atomic size increases while on moving across a period, the atomic size decreases. Therefore, nuclear charge will always increase whether we move down a group or across the period in the periodic table.

Effect of Nuclear Charge on Metallic Characters in the Periodic Table

The greater the nuclear charge, the greater is the force exerted by the nucleus on the electrons of the outermost orbit. This makes it difficult to remove the electrons from the outermost orbit. Thus, metallic nature decreases. On moving down a group, metallic nature increases with increase in nuclear charge while it decreases across the period.

Effect of Nuclear Charge on Non-Metallic Characters in the Periodic Table

The greater the nuclear charge, the greater is the tendency of elements to gain electrons, hence the non-metallic character of the element increases. With increase in nuclear charge, the non-metallic character decreases on moving down the group while it increases across the period.

Effect of Nuclear Charge on Ionisation Energy in the Periodic Table

The greater the nuclear charge, the greater is the attraction for the electrons of the outermost shell. Therefore, the electrons in the outermost valence shell are more firmly held because of which greater ionisation energy is required to remove the electrons. With increase in nuclear charge, the ionisation energy increases across the period while it decreases down the group.