Electronegativity is a value that describes the relative strength with which an atom of an element attracts electrons to itself in a chemical bond. The higher the electronegativity value, the more strongly an element can attract electrons to itself in a bond. The electrons in a chemical bond will be more attracted to the element that is more electronegative.
Remember that metals like to lose their valence electrons in an ionic bond. Metals have low electronegativity values. Nonmetals like to gain electrons in an ionic bond. Nonmetals have higher electronegativity values than metals.
Noble gases do not have electronegativity values because they do not bond with other elements.
Read each statement below and decide if it is TRUE or FALSE. Use the information and the chart above to help you answer each question.
Column A
1.
Electronegativity values increase as you move down (top to bottom) in a group.
:
Electronegativity values increase as you move down (top to bottom) in a group.
2.
Electronegativity values increase as you move left to right across a period.
:
Electronegativity values increase as you move left to right across a period.
3.
The most electronegative elements are found in the bottom left corner of the periodic table.
:
The most electronegative elements are found in the bottom left corner of the periodic table.
4.
Sulfur (S) is more electronegative than oxygen (O).:
Sulfur (S) is more electronegative than oxygen (O).
5.
Fluorine is the most electronegative element.:
Fluorine is the most electronegative element.
6.
In a covalent bond between Phosphorous (P) and Bromine (Br), the shared electrons would be more attracted to Bromine because it has a higher electronegativity.:
In a covalent bond between Phosphorous (P) and Bromine (Br), the shared electrons would be more attracted to Bromine because it has a higher electronegativity.
1. TRUE
2. TRUE
3. FALSE
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. TRUE