Question:

Identify the option in which elements are correctly arranged in the increasing order of their electronegativity values.

Show Hint

Memorize the electronegativity order among common non-metals: \[ \mathrm{P<S<Cl<O<F} \] Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table.
Updated On: Jun 12, 2026
  • \(\mathrm{P < S < Cl < O < F}\)
  • \(\mathrm{S < P < O < Cl < F}\)
  • \(\mathrm{S < Cl < F < O < P}\)
  • \(\mathrm{P < S < O < Cl < F}\)
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract the shared pair of electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. General periodic trends are:
• Electronegativity increases from left to right across a period.
• Electronegativity decreases from top to bottom in a group.
• Fluorine possesses the highest electronegativity value among all elements. The approximate Pauling electronegativity values of the given elements are: \[ \mathrm{P}=2.19 \] \[ \mathrm{S}=2.58 \] \[ \mathrm{Cl}=3.16 \] \[ \mathrm{O}=3.44 \] \[ \mathrm{F}=3.98 \]

Step 1:
Arrange the elements according to increasing electronegativity. Using the standard values, \[ 2.19<2.58<3.16<3.44<3.98 \] Therefore, \[ \mathrm{P<S<Cl<O<F} \]

Step 2:
Compare with the given options. Only Option (A) matches the correct increasing order. Hence, \[ \boxed{\mathrm{P<S<Cl<O<F}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0