How does electronegativity change as you move down a group in the periodic table?

• A. Electronegativity increases
• B. Electronegativity decreases
• C. Electronegativity first increases, then decreases
• D. Electronegativity remains constant

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
2. Recall that as you move down a group in the periodic table, atoms have more electron shells, increasing the distance between the nucleus and the valence electrons.
3. Recognize that the increased distance and additional inner electron shells cause greater shielding, which reduces the effective nuclear charge felt by the valence electrons.
4. Conclude that because of this reduced effective nuclear charge, atoms lower in a group have less ability to attract bonding electrons, so electronegativity decreases as you move down a group.
5. Therefore, the correct trend is that electronegativity decreases as you move down a group in the periodic table.