For the past 5 days, four times as many samples as usual submitted for ionized calcium were below the reference range. The same phlebotomist collected all the samples. When questioned, she said that the samples were collected using syringes from an arterial blood gas collection kit. What is the best explanation of these results

since the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, as we move to the left on the periodic table, the electrostatic pull between the nucleus and the valence electron shell decreases. as we move down a group (vertical column), the valence shell energy level gets further and further from the nucleus.

the link still does not work even when adding it to the url bar

explanation:

a is the correct answer