Which element is the most electronegative?

• A. Fluorine (F)
• B. Nitrogen (N)
• C. Oxygen (O)
• D. Chlorine (Cl)

Answer: (A)

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 on 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 on the periodic table: Nitrogen (N) and Oxygen (O) are in period 2, Chlorine (Cl) is in period 3, and Fluorine (F) is in period 2 but further to the right than Nitrogen and Oxygen.
4. Compare the elements based on their positions: since electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group, Fluorine, being in period 2 and group 17 (halogens), has the highest electronegativity among the options.
5. Conclude that Fluorine (F) is the most electronegative element among the choices given.