Electronegativity Chemistry Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
Arrange the following elements in order of increasing electronegativity: Na, Cl, F, O.

Solution

  1. 1
    Electronegativity increases across a period (left to right) and up a group (bottom to top).
  2. 2
    Na (Group 1, Period 3) is least electronegative. Cl (Group 17, Period 3) is more.
  3. 3
    O (Group 16, Period 2) is higher still. F (Group 17, Period 2) is the most electronegative element.
  4. 4
    Order: Na < Cl < O < F.

Answer

Na<Cl<O<F\text{Na} < \text{Cl} < \text{O} < \text{F}
Electronegativity measures an atom's ability to attract shared electrons in a bond. Fluorine is the most electronegative element at 4.0 on the Pauling scale.

About Electronegativity

A dimensionless measure of how strongly an atom attracts the shared electrons in a covalent bond toward itself, quantified on the Pauling scale from 0.7.

Learn more about Electronegativity →

More Electronegativity Examples

Example 2 medium

In the molecule HF, the electronegativity of H is 2.1 and F is 4.0. Describe the bond polarity and i

Example 3 easy

Which bond is more polar: H–Cl or H–Br? (EN values: H = 2.1, Cl = 3.0, Br = 2.8)

Example 4 medium

Which bond is more polar, C–H or O–H? Use these electronegativity values: C = 2.5, H = 2.1, O = 3.5.

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