Question detail
Which value gives the order of magnitude for the radius of a typical atom?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and isotopes
Question
- A. 1 x 10^-10 metres
- B. 1 x 10^-6 metres
- C. 1 x 10^-15 metres
- D. 1 x 10^10 metres
Answer
The correct answer is 1 x 10^-10 metres. A typical atom has a radius of about one ten-billionth of a metre, much larger than a nucleus but still far too small to see directly.
Explanation
The correct order of magnitude for an atomic radius is about 1 x 10^-10 metres. The 1 x 10^-15 metre scale is closer to a nuclear radius, so choosing it confuses the size of an atom with the size of its nucleus. 1 x 10^-6 metres is much too large for an atom, and 1 x 10^10 metres is astronomically large. This question tests scale, so a good answer keeps atom size separate from nucleus size and recognises the negative power of ten.
Common mistake
Misinterpreting Atomic Size
Students often think the radius of an atom is 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m for all elements, ignoring that atomic radius varies with element and bonding environment.
Explain that 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m is an average value for a typical neutral atom; actual radii differ between elements and depend on factors such as nuclear charge and electron shielding.
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