For the following elements (Group 1A), Li, Na, K, Rb), which atom is larger overall?

The smallest atom you have listed would be lithium (Li).  

Explanation:

Lithium is the third smallest atom listed on the periodic table of the elements.  It has an atomic number of three, meaning it has three protons in it's nucleus.

Atom size (Atomic radius) increases from UP to DOWN in the same COLUMN(group) of the periodic table. For example, in the first group, the Atomic radius trend from smallest to greatest is: H (smallest) -- Li  -- Na -- K -- Rb -- Cs -- Fr (greatest).

Reason is, the increasing energy level (increases from n=1 to n=7) causes the shielding effect increase dramatically. And since the size of atom is mostly consist of electrons, more energy level is filled, the larger the atom will be.)

However, in the same ROW from left to right, the atomic size decreases as the number increases.   For example, Li #3, is larger than Flourine (F) with an atomic number 9 because they are on the same ROW.

hope this

explanation:

covalent bonds

consist of pairs of electrons shared by two atoms, and bind the atoms to fixed orientation and requre high energies to break them

ionic bonds

when two atoms differ considerably in their electronegativity, then one of the atoms will lose its electron to the other atom. this results in a positively charged ion(cation) and a negatively charged ion (anion)

each  column  of the  table  is called a group. elements in a group share similar properties. groups are  read  from  top  to  bottom. metal. metalloid. nonmetal. solid. liquid. gas. fe. hg. o.  2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.  2. beryllium. 9.012. 4.  sodium. 22.990.  11. 3.  magnesium. 24.305.  12.  potassium. 39.098.  19. 4.  calcium. 40.078.  20. i guess  i