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Chemistry  /  Chem 0875  ·  Atom · ~20 seconds

Effective Nuclear Charge (Zeff)

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Effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge an outer electron feels, after inner electrons partially shield it from full charge.

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An outer electron in a heavier atom feels less than full charge, since core electrons cancel part of the pull.

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Effective nuclear charge is the mechanism behind every periodic trend that follows — those trends are its consequence.