Problem: Given the question: I read this background article the other day: The ionization energies of the representative elements generally decrease from top to bottom within a group. This trend is explained by the increase in size of the atoms within a group. The valence electron that is being removed is further from the nucleus in the case of a larger atom. The attractive force between the valence electron and the nucleus weakens as the distance between them increases and as the shielding effect increases, resulting in a lower ionization energy for the larger atoms within a group. Although the nucl I am facing a new situation today: Dan was studying chemistry for the upcoming test. To understand ionization energy he selected two atoms, atom A and atom B. Atom A was top within a group, but atom B was bottom within a group. He found it easier to understand the concept by comparing these two atoms. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which atom would be smaller in size, atom A or atom B?
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The answer is:
atom A

Problem: Given the question: I read this background article the other day: Many different chemical substances cause cancer. Dozens of chemicals in tobacco smoke, including nicotine, have been shown to cause cancer ( Figure below ). In fact, tobacco smoke is one of the main sources of chemical carcinogens. Smoking tobacco increases the risk of cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, and bladder. Using smokeless tobacco can also cause cancer. Other chemicals that cause cancer include asbestos, formaldehyde, benzene, cadmium, and nickel. I am facing a new situation today: Two friends met after 20 years. Tom had been smoking tobacco all these years and had some health problems related to that, while Randy quit smoking 25 years ago. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which friend had a lower risk of developing cancer of the lung?
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The answer is:
Randy

Problem: Given the question: I read this background article the other day: You generally can't see, smell, taste, hear, or feel radiation. Fortunately, there are devices such as Geiger counters that can detect radiation. A Geiger counter, like the one pictured in the Figure below , contains atoms of a gas that is ionized if it encounters radiation. When this happens, the gas atoms change to ions that can carry an electric current. The current causes the Geiger counter to click. The faster the clicks occur, the higher the level of radiation. You can see a video about the Geiger counter and how it was invented at the URL below. I am facing a new situation today: Keith landed a job with the EPA. As part of his training he needed to learn how the Geiger counter works. To learn more about the counter he tested it in three different locations, location A, location B, and location C. Location A had very high radiation; location B had low radiation; and location C didn't have any radiation. Keith learned how the counter works in locations with varying degrees of radiation. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: In which location the Geiger counter would click, location A or location C?
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The answer is:
location A