Question

What is the correct order of electronegativity?

• A. $M^{3-}$ < $M^{1-}$ < $M^{1+}$ < $M^{3+}$
• B. $M^{3-}$ > $M^{1-}$ > $M^{1+}$ > $M^{3+}$
• C. $M^{3-}$ < $M^{1-}$ > $M^{1+}$ > $M^{3+}$
• D. $M^{3-}$ > $M^{1-}$ < $M^{1+}$ < $M^{3+}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

$M^{3-}$ < $M^{1-}$ < $M^{1+}$ < $M^{3+}$

Is the value of electronegativity affected by the charge on the atom?

It is.

The cation will be more electronegative than the parent atom, which in turn will be more electronegative than its anion. Higher the positive oxidation state, the greater will be its electronegativity.

Because a positively charged ion will attract the electrons to a greater extent.

And a negatively charged ion will repel the shared pair of electrons.

Therefore,

$M^{3-}$ < $M^{1-}$ < $M^{1+}$ < $M^{3+}$