Why is the diameter of an atom of lead larger than that of an atom of carbon? Why is lead denser than carbon?

Question

Hi guys

can anybody explain it to me:

Why is the diameter of an atom of lead larger than that of an atom of carbon?

Why is lead denser than carbon?

Thnx!

Answer 1

The diameter of lead is larger due to more valence levels.  There are more electrons and therefor need more space.  The reason for the desnity difference comes with the understanding of the molecular structure.  lead packs together more tightly due to the way it bonds.

Answer 2

Leads had more protons, electrons and neutrons than carbon.

It probably denser since bodies or greater mass to the smaller ration of space to take up are packed together.

Snow Man

Answer 3

Hi,

The size of atoms is fairly simple. They get larger as you go up the periodic table, as they gain more protons and neutrons in the nucleus and more electrons orbit the outside.

The size of a "nucleus" increases with the cube of the number of (protons+neutrons). Electrons complicate things, but not by much.

The density is much harder to answer. It depends mostly on how atoms bond together. If they form close packed bonds, the structure will end up being more dense. The link shows density of elements plotted against atomic number. Notice the peaks come around the metallic elements.

Cheers,

Ben