Which of the following statements correctly describes electronegativity?

• A. Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
• B. Electronegativity increases as you move down a group in the periodic table.
• C. Electronegativity is highest for elements with large atomic radii.
• D. Fluorine is the most electronegative element.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electronegativity is a chemical property that describes the ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself when it forms a chemical bond.
2. Recall the periodic trends: electronegativity generally increases as you move from left to right across a period in the periodic table because atoms have more protons and a stronger pull on electrons.
3. Recognize that electronegativity decreases as you move down a group because atoms have more electron shells, which increases the distance between the nucleus and the bonding electrons, reducing the nucleus's pull.
4. Note that atoms with smaller atomic radii tend to have higher electronegativity because their nuclei can attract bonding electrons more strongly due to less shielding and closer proximity.
5. Identify fluorine as the most electronegative element because it is located at the top right of the periodic table (excluding noble gases), combining a small atomic radius with a high effective nuclear charge.