What is the Difference Between Shielding and Screening Effect?

The shielding effect and the screening effect refer to the same phenomenon, which is the reduction in the nucleus's force of attraction on valence electrons due to the existence of electrons in inner shells. This effect occurs because the inner shell electrons shield the atomic nucleus, leading to a decrease in the effective nuclear charge experienced by the outermost electrons. In summary:

• The shielding effect (or screening effect) is the reduction in the effective nuclear charge on the electron cloud due to differences in the attraction forces between electrons and the nucleus.
• This effect occurs because the inner shell electrons shield the atomic nucleus.
• The terms "shielding effect" and "screening effect" mean the same and are used interchangeably.

Comparative Table: Shielding vs Screening Effect

The shielding effect and screening effect are closely related concepts in atomic physics and chemistry. Both terms describe the reduction of attraction between the atomic nucleus and outermost electrons due to the presence of inner shell electrons. The key difference between the two terms is that the shielding effect encompasses both the screening effect and electron-electron repulsion, while the screening effect specifically refers to the reduction in net attractive force experienced by the outer electrons.

Here is a table summarizing the differences between shielding and screening effects:

In summary, the shielding effect and screening effect are closely related phenomena that influence the behavior of atoms and their chemical properties. While the screening effect specifically refers to the reduction in net attractive force experienced by the outer electrons, the shielding effect encompasses both the screening effect and electron-electron repulsion.