What is the smallest element in the periodic table?
Understand the Problem
The question is inquiring about the smallest element in the periodic table, which typically refers to the element with the lowest atomic number.
Answer
helium (He)
The final answer is helium (He).
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is helium (He).
More Information
Helium has the smallest atomic radius primarily due to the trends in the periodic table and its high effective nuclear charge.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the smallest element by atomic radius with the lightest element by mass, which is hydrogen.
Sources
- Understanding the Periodic Table of Elements - instructables.com
- Name the elements which have the smallest and the largest atom? - byjus.com
- Which atom is the smallest? (on the entire periodic table). HELIUM. - youtube.com
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