Effective nuclear charge
An electron does not simply experience the nucleus's full charge. Other electrons shield part of that attraction, leading to the idea of effective nuclear charge.
Core idea
An electron does not simply experience the nucleus's full charge. Other electrons shield part of that attraction, leading to the idea of effective nuclear charge.
Example
Across a period, proton count increases without adding a new principal shell at every step. The effective attraction on outer electrons therefore often increases.
Common trap
A formula or trend is useful only when its definition and conditions of use are clear.
Check yourself
Explain the phenomenon in your own words, then identify which quantity or mechanism you would use to quantify it.
Across a period, proton count increases without adding a new principal shell at every step. The effective attraction on outer electrons therefore often increases.