Which element has the highest electronegativity?

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

Answer: (D)

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 and group 17 (halogens).
4. Compare the elements based on their positions: since electronegativity increases across a period and Fluorine is the most right and top element among the options, it has the highest electronegativity.
5. Conclude that Fluorine (F) has the highest electronegativity because it is the most electronegative element in the periodic table.