Which one of the following statements best describes electronegativity in atoms?

• A. Electronegativity is the measure of the size of an atom.
• B. Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons toward itself in a chemical bond.
• C. Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to lose electrons and form positive ions.
• D. Electronegativity is the energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom in the gaseous state.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that electronegativity is a property related to how atoms interact in chemical bonds, specifically how they attract electrons.
2. Step 2: Recognize that electronegativity is not about the size of an atom; atomic size refers to atomic radius, which is a different concept.
3. Step 3: Note that electronegativity is not about the ability to lose electrons or form positive ions; that property is related to ionization energy and metallic character.
4. Step 4: Also, electronegativity is distinct from the energy required to remove an electron (ionization energy), although both relate to electron behavior.
5. Step 5: Therefore, the best description of electronegativity is that it is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons toward itself in a chemical bond.