Question

Which one is the most electronegative element in the periodic table?
(A) F
(B) Cl
(C) Ne
(D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: As we go from left to right in the periodic table, the electronegativity of elements increases and as we go from up to down in the periodic table, the electronegativity of the elements decreases.


Complete step by step solution:
Electronegativity is the property of an element to attract electrons towards it in the bond pair. So, when there is a bond between two atoms, the more electronegative element will pull electrons more towards itself.
- In a bond between a more electronegative element and the other element will less electronegativity, the more electronegative element will have partial negative charge on itself because it will pull the electrons of the bond pair more towards itself.
- So, an element which has a tendency to accept electrons will have more electronegativity. We know that noble gas configuration is the most stable electronic configuration and all the atoms try to obtain it while forming a compound.
- So, the halogen elements need only one electron to fill its valence orbital and so they have highest electronegativity amongst any other groups in the periodic table.
- Now, all halogens have the same number of electrons in their valence shell. So, the smallest atom will have more tendency to attract electrons and hence as we go up in the periodic table, electronegativity of the elements increases.
- So, we can say that Fluorine will have the highest electronegativity amongst other elements in the periodic table.


So, correct answer is (A).


Note: Remember that noble gases have very stable electronic configuration and so they usually do not react with other compounds. So, there is an exception that group-18 is at right hand side from group-17 which is halogens but still group-17 elements have highest electronegativity.