Covalent Radius Formula:
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Definition: This calculator estimates the covalent radius of an atom based on its effective nuclear charge and Mulliken's electronegativity.
Purpose: It helps chemists and researchers understand atomic sizes in covalent bonding situations.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula relates the atomic size in covalent bonding to the atom's nuclear charge and its tendency to attract electrons.
Details: Knowing covalent radii helps predict bond lengths, molecular geometries, and understand chemical reactivity patterns.
Tips: Enter the effective nuclear charge and Mulliken's electronegativity (in Joules). Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is covalent radius?
A: It's a measure of the size of an atom that forms part of one covalent bond.
Q2: What is Mulliken's electronegativity?
A: It's a measure of an atom's tendency to attract electrons, calculated as the average of ionization energy and electron affinity.
Q3: What units does this calculator use?
A: The result is in angstroms (Å), with electronegativity input in joules (J).
Q4: Why might I get an "invalid" result?
A: This happens when the denominator in the formula becomes zero or negative, which occurs with certain electronegativity values.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a theoretical estimate; actual covalent radii may vary based on chemical environment.