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Wize University Chemistry Textbook > Periodic Table Trends

Electronegativity

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Electronegativity (EN)


Electronegativity is a measure of electron pull. In a bond, the more electronegative element will pull electrons closer towards itself
Example: Draw the bond between H and F and show the difference in electronegativity.





Electronegativity Values
Photo by DMacks / CC BY

Wize Tip
General order of EN may come in handy:
F > O > Cl > N > Br > I > S > C ~ H

The Periodic Trend

Electronegativity increases going up and to the right in the periodic table.


Which atom is the most electronegative?
F


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Example: Increasing Electronegativity

Rank the following atoms in increasing electronegativity: O, Al, Sr, N, Si, Cs


Cs < Sr < Al < Si < N < O


Practice: Ranking Electronegativity

Choose the option which correctly ranks the following elements in terms of electronegativity.


Extra Practice
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Choosing from the following elements answer the following questions. K, Ca, N, Ar, F
Which is the most electronegative?
Electronegativity
Consider a C-O bond. Which of the following statements correctly describe the electrons within this bond.
Electronegativity
Rank the following atoms in decreasing electronegativity (1 = largest, 5 = smallest).
Electronegativity
Consider a C-F bond. Which of the following statements correctly describe the electrons within this bond.
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
For an S-O bond, which atom will attract the electrons within the bond more strongly? Why?
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Choosing from the following elements answer the following questions. K, Ca, N, Ar, F
Which is the most electronegative?
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
In general, the greater an element’s electronegativity...
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Rank the following from lowest electronegativity to the highest.
S S+ As Te O
"The Periodic Table", image retrieved from Chemistry 2e (https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/Chemistry2e-OP_QCzV58S.pdf) by Flowers, P et al., is licensed under CC BY.
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Rank the following from least electronegative to most
Ge O F S Cl
"The Periodic Table", image retrieved from Chemistry 2e (https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/Chemistry2e-OP_QCzV58S.pdf) by Flowers, P et al., is licensed under CC BY.
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Rank the following from lowest to highest electronegativity.
S P Cl As Sb
"The Periodic Table", image retrieved from Chemistry 2e (https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/Chemistry2e-OP_QCzV58S.pdf) by Flowers, P et al., is licensed under CC BY.
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Choose the option which shows the following elements from highest electronegativity to lowest?
N Ba P I Se
"The Periodic Table", image retrieved from Chemistry 2e (https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/Chemistry2e-OP_QCzV58S.pdf) by Flowers, P et al., is licensed under CC BY.
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Which is the correct order of decreasing electronegativity for the following elements: In, Sr, Si, F, Cl\text{In, Sr, Si, F, Cl}
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity
Which of the following elements would you expect to have the greatest electronegativity?
In, V, Zn, Cl, K