Chemistry / Unit 5 Chem 0875 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Effective Nuclear Charge (Zeff)
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The idea
Effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge an outer electron feels, after inner electrons partially shield it from full charge.
In practice
An outer electron in a heavier atom feels less than full charge, since core electrons cancel part of the pull.
Where people slip
Effective nuclear charge is the mechanism behind every periodic trend that follows — those trends are its consequence.
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