Question

multiple choice 1 point each time an electron is removed, what happens to the effective nuclear charge? it increases. it stays the same. it decreases. it is unmeasurable.

Explanation:

Effective nuclear charge ($Z_{\text{eff}}$) is the net positive charge experienced by an electron in an atom. When an electron is removed, the number of shielding electrons (electrons that reduce the nuclear charge experienced by outer electrons) decreases. Since $Z_{\text{eff}} = Z - S$ (where $Z$ is the atomic number, $S$ is shielding), a decrease in $S$ (as electrons are removed, especially valence electrons, the shielding from inner electrons remains but the outer - shielding electrons are reduced) leads to an increase in $Z_{\text{eff}}$. For example, in the case of successive ionization of an atom, each time an electron is removed, the remaining electrons experience a greater effective nuclear charge.

Answer:

A. It increases.