Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the trend in electronegativity across the periodic table?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Periodic Trend: Electronegativity
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Which one of the following elements is the least electronegative?
A
Cs
B
F
C
Na
D
O
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 from top to bottom down a group.
Identify the positions of the given elements in the periodic table: Fluorine (F) and Oxygen (O) are in period 2, Sodium (Na) is in period 3, and Cesium (Cs) is in period 6, all in different groups.
Since electronegativity decreases down a group, Cesium (Cs), being farthest down in group 1 (alkali metals), will have the lowest electronegativity among the options.
Therefore, by comparing their positions and applying the periodic trends, conclude that Cs is the least electronegative element among the given choices.
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