Question

The unpaired electrons in Al and Si are present in 3p orbital. Which electrons will experience more effective nuclear charge from the nucleus ?

Answer 1

Nuclear charge is defined as the net positive charge experienced by an electron in a multi-electron atom. The higher the atomic number, the higher is the nuclear charge. Silicon has 14 protons while aluminium has 13 protons. Hence, silicon has a larger nuclear charge of (+14) than aluminium, which has a nuclear charge of (+13). Thus, the electrons in the 3p orbital of silicon will experience a more effective nuclear charge than aluminium.