Electronegativity — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- A measure of how strongly an atom attracts the shared electrons in a chemical bond. (Physical Science: Chemistry)
- A measure of how strongly an atom pulls on the shared electrons in a bond. (Physical Science: Chemistry)
Where it is taught
- Periodic Trends — Atoms, Electrons & Periodicity, Physical Science: Chemistry, Grade 11
- Molecular Geometry & Polarity — Bonding, Formulas & Molecular Structure, Physical Science: Chemistry, Grade 11
In use
Electronegativity measures how strongly an atom pulls on the electrons it shares in a bond, and it follows the same pattern as ionization energy: it increases across a period and decreases down a group.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity measures how strongly an atom pulls on that shared pair, and when two bonded atoms differ in electronegativity, the greedier one hogs the electrons, taking on a slight negative charge while its partner is left slightly positive.
Molecular Geometry & Polarity
Questions using electronegativity
Problem 1
Which of these elements has the highest electronegativity?
- chlorine (Cl)
- sodium (Na)
- fluorine (F)
- oxygen (O)
Answer and explanation
fluorine (F)
Fluorine, at the top right of the table (excluding noble gases), is the most electronegative element.
Taught alongside
- atomic radius
- ionization energy
- effective nuclear charge (Zeff)
- shielding (screening)
- periodic trend
- VSEPR theory
- molecular geometry
- polar bond
- nonpolar bond
- dipole
- intermolecular force
- hydrogen bond