Question

Which element has the highest electronegativity in the periodic table?

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

Hint:

Fluorine is the most electronegative element, followed by oxygen, chlorine, and nitrogen.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. It generally increases across a period and decreases down a group in the periodic table.

Step 1: Trend in the periodic table. Electronegativity increases from left to right across a period due to increasing nuclear charge.

Step 2: Trend down a group. Electronegativity decreases down a group because atomic size increases and the attraction for bonding electrons decreases.

Step 3: Identify the most electronegative element. Fluorine lies at the top-right of the periodic table (excluding noble gases), giving it the highest electronegativity value.

Step 4: Numerical value. On the Pauling scale, the electronegativity of fluorine is approximately: \[ 3.98 \]