JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3pt079
In solid chlorine the Cl−Cl distance within a molecule is 199pm, while the shortest distance between chlorine atoms of two neighbouring molecules is 332pm. The van der Waals radius of chlorine derived from these data is:
A99.5pm
B199pm
C166pm
D332pm
Answer: C
The van der Waals radius is half the closest approach of non-bonded atoms: 332/2=166pm. The value 199/2=99.5pm is the covalent radius.