Which of the following elements is the most electronegative?

• A. Cl (chlorine)
• B. O (oxygen)
• C. F (fluorine)
• D. N (nitrogen)

Answer: (C)

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.
2. 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.
3. Identify the positions of the given elements in the periodic table: Fluorine (F) is in period 2, group 17; Oxygen (O) is in period 2, group 16; Nitrogen (N) is in period 2, group 15; Chlorine (Cl) is in period 3, group 17.
4. Compare their electronegativities based on their positions: since electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group, fluorine, being at the top right (excluding noble gases), has the highest electronegativity.
5. Conclude that among the given elements, fluorine (F) is the most electronegative element.