Order the following elements according to increasing electronegativity: Li, Br, Pb, K, Mg, C.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of electronegativity, which is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond. Electronegativity values are typically found on the Pauling scale.
2. Step 2: Recall the general trend of electronegativity on the periodic table: it increases across a period (from left to right) and decreases down a group (from top to bottom).
3. Step 3: Identify the positions of the given elements on the periodic table: Li (Lithium), Br (Bromine), Pb (Lead), K (Potassium), Mg (Magnesium), and C (Carbon).
4. Step 4: Apply the periodic trend to compare the electronegativity of these elements. Elements further to the right and higher up on the periodic table generally have higher electronegativity.
5. Step 5: Arrange the elements in order of increasing electronegativity based on their positions and the periodic trend: K, Li, Mg, Pb, C, Br.

Key Concepts

Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when it forms a chemical bond. It is a key factor in determining the nature of bonds between atoms, influencing whether they will form ionic or covalent bonds. The electronegativity values are typically derived from the Pauling scale, where higher values indicate a stronger attraction for electrons.

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends refer to the predictable patterns observed in the properties of elements as you move across or down the periodic table. Electronegativity generally increases across a period from left to right due to increasing nuclear charge, while it decreases down a group because of increased distance between the nucleus and the valence electrons, which reduces the nucleus's pull on bonding electrons.

Comparison of Elements

To order elements by electronegativity, one must compare their individual electronegativity values. For the elements listed (Li, Br, Pb, K, Mg, C), understanding their positions in the periodic table helps in determining their relative electronegativities. For instance, nonmetals like Br and C typically have higher electronegativities than metals like Li, K, and Mg, while Pb, being a metalloid, has intermediate properties.