Chemistry GCSE
Shielding Effect
What Shielding Effect means in Chemistry GCSE, as defined for OCR, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Shielding Effect
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
The repulsion between electrons in inner shells and outer shells, which reduces the net attractive force from the positive nucleus on the outer electrons.
The decrease in electrostatic attraction between the nucleus and outer electrons due to the presence of inner electron shells.
Topics that use Shielding Effect
- Topic C4: Predicting and identifying reactions and products (OCR GCSE)
- Groups in the periodic table (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
Using Shielding Effect in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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