Chapter 9, Problem 9.58P

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The elements $\text{N,}\text{P}$ and $\text{Si}$ are to be arranged in the decreasing order of EN.

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 is inversely related to the size of an element and therefore with an increase in the size of the element the electronegativity decreases.

$\text{Electronegativity}\propto \frac{1}{\text{Size}}$

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The elements $\text{Ca,}\text{Ga}$ and $\text{As}$ are to be arranged in the decreasing order of EN.

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 is inversely related to the size of an element and therefore with an increase in the size of the element the electronegativity decreases.

$\text{Electronegativity}\propto \frac{1}{\text{Size}}$