Question

Identify the most electronegative element by the following.

• A. Oxygen
• B. Nitrogen
• C. Fluorine
• D. Chlorine

Hint:

Electronegativity rises across a period and falls down a group.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall the trend
Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract the shared electrons in a bond. It increases from left to right in a period and decreases down a group.

Step 2: Compare the elements
Oxygen and nitrogen are in period 2 but are to the left of fluorine. Chlorine is in the same group as fluorine but lower down, so it is bigger and attracts electrons less.
On the Pauling scale: F \(= 4.0\), O \(= 3.5\), Cl \(= 3.0\), N \(= 3.0\).
Fluorine is the highest.

Step 3: Why the others are wrong
Oxygen and nitrogen have lower nuclear pull on the bonding pair than fluorine because they have fewer protons in the same shell. Chlorine has an extra shell, which weakens the pull.

Final Answer:
Fluorine is the most electronegative element of all. \[ \boxed{\text{(C)}\ \text{Fluorine}} \]