The relative ability of a bonded atom to attract shared electron pairs is called its . This ability as the size of the atom decreases because for a smaller atom the shared electrons will be closer to the nucleus.

The image compares the arrangement of electrons in two different neutral atoms. a figure labeled atom q has a shaded sphere at the center of three concentric circles. the innermost circle has two black spheres. the middle circle has six black spheres. to the left of this figure is another figure labeled atom p. atom p has a shaded sphere at the center of three concentric circles. the innermost circle has two black spheres. the middle circle has seven black spheres. which of the following best explains the position of the two atoms in the periodic table? atom p has an estimated zeff of 7 and is therefore to the left of atom q, which has a zeff of 6. atom p has an estimated zeff of 7 and is therefore to the right of atom q, which has a zeff of 6. atom p has an estimated zeff of 5 and is therefore below atom q, which has a zeff of 4. atom p has an estimated zeff of 5 and is therefore above atom q, which has a zeff of 4.