Chapter 9, Problem 9.51P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The vertical and horizontal trends in electronegativity (EN) among the main-group elements are to be determined. Also, the two most electronegative atoms and the most electronegative atoms according to Pauling’s scale are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract the shared electrons in the bond towards itself. The more electronegative atom will more attract the bonding electrons towards itself than the less electronegative atom. Therefore the electrons will spend more time with the more electronegative atom than an electropositive atom. The electronegative atom will acquire the partial negative charge and the electropositive atom will acquire a partial positive charge.

Here, B is the electronegative atom and A is the electropositive atom.

Electronegativity of various elements is studied on the basis of Pauling’s scale.