Periodic Trends Tournament: Arsenic Edition
Game 1: Atomic Radius (the flop of the century)
Electron repulsion can make an atom's radius bigger as it goes down the group (as the electron's push each other away to make the radius bigger). Nuclear pull cam make an atom's radius smaller as you go right on a period (as more protons leads to more nuclear pull on the electrons).
Round 1
As vs. NeCompeting for: Smallest radius.
Result: As loss. Onto the losers' bracket.
Why?: Electron Repulsion. As has a larger atomic radius due to having more electrons, given that it's 2 energy levels bigger than Ne. All those electrons repel each other, making the atomic radius bigger.
Round 2
As vs. NCompeting for: Smallest radius.
Result: As loss. Completely out of the tournament and reduced to cheerleading.
Why? Why, oh why, oh whyyyyyyy?: Electron Repulsion. As has a larger atomic radius due to having more electrons, given that it's 2 energy levels bigger than N. All those electrons repel each other, making the atomic radius bigger.
Conclusion
Arsenic SUCKS if you're competing for smallest atomic radius. After one immediate loss, I at least hoped to be the best loser. Unfortunately, the divine beings of this world have said I don't even deserve that, striking me down immediately in the next round. I was resigned to being on the sidelines, forever watching as people found sweet victories that I was unable to reach myself.Win count: 0. Lose count: 2.
Game 2: Ionization Energy (is salvation possible for rat poison?)
The factors that affect ionization energy are nuclear pull and electron shielding. Nuclear pull can lead to higher ionization energy, as more protons attract the electrons much more, making it harder to remove them. Electron shielding leads to lower ionization energy, as the shield electrons and inner levels make the nuclear pull weaker.
Round 1
As vs. FCompeting for: Lowest ionization energy.
Result: As win. Onto the next round.
Why?: Electron Shielding. As is lower on the groups and is further left on the period, which means it has less protons than electrons. This leads to less nuclear pull. There are also more shielding electrons that make nuclear pull weaker, so As requires less energy to remove electrons.
Round 2
As vs. NeCompeting for: Lowest ionization energy.
Result: As win. Onto the next round.
Why?: Electron Shielding. As is lower on the groups and is further left on the period, which means it has less protons than electrons. This leads to less nuclear pull. There are also more shielding electrons that make nuclear pull weaker, so As requires less energy to remove electrons.
Round 3
As vs. HCompeting for: Highest ionization energy.
Result (AHHHHHHHH): As loss. Onto the losers' bracket.
Why(yyyyyy did I lose my winning streak)?: Nuclear Pull. H is higher on the groups and only has one electron and energy level to its proton, so there is very little resistance when the proton attracts the electron to the nucleus. That also means it requires more energy than As to lose its electron.
Round 4
As vs. F (we meet again, for some reason???)Competing for: Lowest ionization energy.
Result: As win. Onto the next round (of the losers' bracket ToT).
Why?: Electron Shielding. ... Check round 1 for why, given that this was the same exact fight.
Round 5
As vs. BeCompeting for: Lowest ionization energy.
Result: As loss. As is out of the tournament.
WHYYYYYYY?: Nuclear Pull. Be was higher on the groups of the periodic table, which meant there were less shield electrons and energy levels to prevent the pull of the nucleus's protons.
Conclusion
I have somewhat redeemed myself! It was lovely, getting to taste victory for the first time. It was like a wonderful cup of tea with an undetectable, tasteless amount of arsenic that swiftly eliminates the target. Decisive and swift! Unfortunately, it is not reliable in having the lowest ionization energy all the time, given that other elements can have more energy levels (therefore having more shield electrons). It also certainly isn't reliable in having the highest ionization energy, especially compared to this tournment's line-up with elements that generally were higher on the groups (therefore having less energy levels and less shield electrons). However, I have planned to poison whoever I need to poison to ensure the ultimate victory for the third game.Win count: 3. Lose count: 4.
Game 3: Electronegativity (I have lost everything)
Electron shielding and nuclear pull can affect electronegativity. Electron shielding can lead to lower electronegativity, as the shielding electrons and inner energy levels weakens the nuclear pull, making it harder to gain an electron. More protons strengthens the nuclear pull, making it easier to gain an electron.
Round 1
As vs. NaCompeting for: Lowest electronegativity.
Result: As loss. Onto the losers' bracket.
Why?: Nuclear Pull. Arsenic has more protons in relation to its electrons (meaning more nuclear pull), which gives it more electronegativity than Na.
Round 2
As vs. FCompeting for: Highest electronegativity.
Result: As loss. I HATE IT HERE.
Why? WHYYYYYYYY?: Nuclear Pull and Electron Shielding. Flourine is the highest electronegativity out of all the elements. It has more protons in relation to its electrons than Arsenic, given that it's further right on the period. It also has less energy levels, meaning there are less shield electrons interfering with the nuclear pull.
Conclusion
I hate EVERYTHING. I was granted a small taste of victory only to have it be slapped out of me, spat on, and then brutually kicked by my peers. ...Not actually though, I competed against perfectly good people. Anyways, compared to the rest of our class line-up of elements, Arsenic has a fairly high electronegativity... except when compared to elements that are higher on the groups (meaning less energy levels and shielding electrons) and are further right on the periods (meaning more protons to attract electrons)... like Flourine, the element with the most electronegativity... I just wanted to be the best loser, at the very least. Yet the heavens won't even grant me that.This was the final game. I have humiliated myself, permanently. I am worthless, and nothing, and I despise everything, and I will seek REVENGE-
Final win count: 3. Final lose count: 6