What is Electromagnetic Radiation

The term electromagnetic radiation consists of two words, electromagnetic (electron+magnetic) and radiation.  So actually, it’s a three-word term.  Let’s break it down by the definitions for each word and put it in simple English. Let’s first figure out the word radiation.  Radiation comes from the word radiate and it is an action of radiating. So…

Sizes of Atoms and Ions

This article is an example of what I tutor in general chemistry. The size of an atom depends on the amount of electron subshells and how close the electrons are to the nucleus.  The atomic radius increases going down the periods and decreases going from left to right. Nonbonding atomic radius – half of the…

Effective Nuclear Charge

This article is an example of what I tutor in general chemistry. Nucleus of an atom is positively charged due to protons and neutrons composing its core.  Protons are positive particles and neutrons are neutral particles.  Hence, nucleus is positively charged due to protons’ positive charge.  Electrons are negatively charged particles found on the outside…