Question

Which of the following is the correct order of electronegativity?

• A. $\mathrm{N}>\mathrm{P}>\mathrm{As}$
• B. $\mathrm{S}>\mathrm{O}>\mathrm{Se}$
• C. $\mathrm{F}>\mathrm{Cl}>\mathrm{Br}>\mathrm{I}$
• D. Both (A) and (C)

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Both (A) and (C)

Explanation for correct option:

D. Both (A) and (C)

Electronegativity:

• “A qualitative measure of the ability of an atom in a chemical compound to attract shared electrons to itself is called electronegativity.”
• “The electronegativity of any given element is not constant; it varies depending on the element to which it is bound.”

The trend for electronegativity:

• “Electronegativity generally increases across a period from left to right (say from lithium to fluorine) and decreases down a group (say from fluorine to astatine) in the periodic table.”
• On the same account electronegativity values decrease with the increase in atomic radii down a group.

For Group-15, the trend of electronegativity is as follows:

$\mathrm{N}>\mathrm{P}>\mathrm{As}$

For Group-17, the trend of electronegativity is as follows:

$\mathrm{F}>\mathrm{Cl}>\mathrm{Br}>\mathrm{I}$

Expalantion for incorrect options:

B. $\mathrm{S}>\mathrm{O}>\mathrm{Se}$

The given trend for electronegativity is wrong as the electronegativity decreases down the group.

Hence, the correct option is D i.e. Both (A) and (C).