A dimensionless measure of how strongly an atom attracts the shared electrons in a covalent bond toward itself, quantified on the Pauling scale from about 0.7 (cesium/francium) to 3.98 (fluorine).
How 'greedy' an atom is for electrons. Fluorine is most greedy.
Showing a random 20 of 50 problems.
Example 1
medium
In NH3, identify the bond polarity for each N–H bond and the direction of dipole.
Example 2
easy
Between Na and Cl, which atom is more electronegative?
Example 3
easy
Which is more electronegative: oxygen or sulfur?
Example 4
medium
A bond has ΔEN=0.4. Classify it as nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, or ionic (cutoffs ~0.5 and ~1.7).
Example 5
easy
Down a group of the periodic table, how does electronegativity change?
Example 6
medium
Order the bonds C−Cl, C−F, C−Br by increasing polarity (halogen EN: Cl 3.0, F 4.0, Br 2.8).
Example 7
challenge
Explain why electronegativity does NOT increase smoothly down group 1 even though nuclear charge increases.
Example 8
easy
In a bond between H (2.1) and Cl (3.0), which atom carries the partial negative charge?
Example 9
easy
Do noble gases like neon have high tabulated electronegativity values?
Example 10
medium
Which has greater EN: O (period 2) or S (period 3), and why?
Example 11
medium
Which atom in a C−O bond is partial negative, given C = 2.5 and O = 3.5?
Example 12
medium
In the molecule HF, the electronegativity of H is 2.1 and F is 4.0. Describe the bond polarity and indicate the direction of the dipole.
Example 13
medium
Which bond is more polar, C–H or O–H? Use these electronegativity values: C = 2.5, H = 2.1, O = 3.5.
Example 14
medium
Rank C, N, O by increasing electronegativity.
Example 15
easy
Down a group, how does electronegativity generally change?
Example 16
easy
In an H–O bond (H = 2.1, O = 3.5), which atom carries the partial negative charge?
Example 17
medium
Classify the bond in KBr using EN values K = 0.8, Br = 2.8.
Example 18
medium
In CO, the bond's δ− end is on which atom (O = 3.5, C = 2.5)?
Example 19
hard
Predict whether HBr or HI has a larger dipole moment, using EN values H 2.1, Br 2.8, I 2.5.
Example 20
medium
The electronegativity difference in H−F is 3.98−2.20. What is ΔEN?