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Multiple Choice
Which of the following elements has the highest electronegativity?
A
O
B
Cl
C
F
D
N
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond.
Recall the general trend of electronegativity in the periodic table: it increases from left to right across a period and decreases from top to bottom within a group.
Identify the positions of the given elements (O, Cl, F, N) on the periodic table: all are nonmetals, with F (fluorine) in period 2, group 17; O (oxygen) and N (nitrogen) in period 2, groups 16 and 15 respectively; and Cl (chlorine) in period 3, group 17.
Compare their electronegativities based on their positions: since fluorine is the most right and highest up among these elements, it has the highest electronegativity.
Conclude that fluorine (F) has the highest electronegativity among the given elements.