The atomic radius __ as you go to the left and down the periodic table. decreases increases remains the same

## Step 1<br />The atomic radius refers to the size of an atom. It is usually measured in terms of the distance from the nucleus of the atom to its outermost electron shell.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />As you move from left to right across a period in the periodic table, the atomic radius generally decreases. This is because the number of protons in the nucleus increases, which increases the positive charge of the nucleus. This pulls the electrons in the outermost shell closer to the nucleus, reducing the atomic radius.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />As you move down a group in the periodic table, the atomic radius generally increases. This is because each successive element in a group has an additional electron shell, which increases the size of the atom.