Which of the following halogens is the most electronegative?

• A. Bromine (Br)
• B. Fluorine (F)
• C. Iodine (I)
• D. Chlorine (Cl)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond.
2. Understand that electronegativity generally increases across a period (left to right) in the periodic table and decreases down a group (top to bottom).
3. Identify that the halogens (Group 17 elements) in the problem are Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), and Iodine (I), which are all in the same group but different periods.
4. Since electronegativity decreases down the group, Fluorine, being at the top of the halogen group, has the highest electronegativity among the options.
5. Therefore, Fluorine (F) is the most electronegative halogen compared to Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), and Iodine (I).