Multiple Choice
Which of the following elements has the strongest attraction for electrons (i.e., the highest electronegativity)?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Periodic Trend: Electronegativity
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Which of the following elements has the lowest electronegativity?
A
Cs
B
O
C
N
D
Cl
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 on the periodic table: it increases from left to right across a period and decreases from top to bottom down a group.
Identify the positions of the given elements on the periodic table: Cs (Cesium) is in Group 1, Period 6; O (Oxygen) is in Group 16, Period 2; N (Nitrogen) is in Group 15, Period 2; Cl (Chlorine) is in Group 17, Period 3.
Compare their positions based on the trend: since electronegativity decreases down a group and increases across a period, elements on the left and lower in the periodic table have lower electronegativity.
Conclude that Cs, being farthest to the left and lowest in the periodic table among the options, has the lowest electronegativity.
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