Multiple Choice
Which direction across the periodic table corresponds to increasing electronegativity?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Periodic Trend: Electronegativity
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Which of the following elements is the most electronegative?
A
Cl (chlorine)
B
F (fluorine)
C
O (oxygen)
D
N (nitrogen)
Verified step by step guidance1
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 down a group.
Identify the positions of the given elements (F, Cl, O, N) on the periodic table: all are nonmetals, with fluorine and chlorine in Group 17, and oxygen and nitrogen in Group 16 and 15 respectively.
Compare their positions: fluorine (F) is at the top of Group 17, which means it has the highest electronegativity among the halogens and all elements listed.
Conclude that fluorine is the most electronegative element among the options because it is furthest to the right and highest up in the periodic table, following the electronegativity trend.
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