Question

Which of the following elements mentioned has the lowest electronegativity?
(A) Mg
(B) Al
(C) Na
(D) P

Answer 1

Hint: According to the modern periodic table, the elements are arranged based on their order of increasing atomic number and periodic properties of elements. The periodic properties are in terms of ionization energy, electron affinity, atomic radius, electronegativity, and ionic radius. For the prediction of the elements' physical, chemical, and atomic properties by using periodic law and table formation.

Complete Solution :
Electronegativity:
This is defined as a covalent bond molecule, the tendency of an atom to attract the shared pair of electrons towards itself. The electronegativity values depend on the element values of ionization potential and electron affinity. The electronegativity of an atom is affected by both the atomic number and the distance between valence electrons from the charged nucleus.

- Variation of EN in periodic table:
On moving down in a group, with increasing the atomic size the electronegativity value increases.
On moving from left to right in a period, electronegativity values increase because atomic size decreases then the attraction between valence electrons form the charged nucleus increase, which increases the tendency of an atom to attract the shared pair of electrons towards a covalent molecule.
Given elements, Na, Mg, Al, and P, belongs to the same period. So, P is the highest electronegativity element and the Na is the lowest electronegativity element.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: Various factors influencing the values of electronegativity are atomic radius, effective nuclear charge, the oxidation state of an atom, and hybridization of an atom in the molecule. The nature of the bond, metallic and nonmetallic nature, the strength of the bond, and the color of the salt will determine from the values of electronegativity