Question

Which pair of atoms has the highest electronegativity difference? Na-F Ca-F H-F C-F F-F

Answer 1

Answer: Na-F has the highest electronegativity difference.

Explanation: Electronegativity is the measure of how strongle an atom holds the electrons. The highest electronegative atom is Fluorine.

• Electronegativity of Sodium = 0.93

• Electronegativity of Calcium = 1

• Electronegativity of Hydrogen = 2.1

• Electronegativity of Carbon = 2.55

• Electronegativity of Fluorine = 3.98

Electronegativity difference in the following compounds:

• Electronegativity difference in Na-F = 3.98 - 0.93 = 3.05

• Electronegativity difference in Ca-F = 3.98 - 1 = 2.98

• Electronegativity difference in H-F = 3.98 - 2.1 = 1.88

• Electronegativity difference in C-F = 3.98 - 2.55 = 1.43

• Electronegativity difference in F-F = 3.98 - 3.98 = 0

From the above calculations, it is visible that the highest electronegativity difference is present in Na-F.

From all the compounds, it is clearly seen that sodium can loose the electrons easily and is most electropositive and fluorine is the most electronegative element.

Answer 2

The answer is Na-F. The F has highest electronegativity among these elements. So we need to find the element with smallest electronegativity. And this element is Na.