Question

Which element has an atom with the greatest tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond?

Answer 1

Because chlorine has the highest electronegativity among the four, it has the greatest tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

Therefore, (2) chlorine is the best answer.

Hope this helps~

Answer 2

Answer: (2) chlorine

Expalanation: 1) Carbon is an element with atomic number 6 and thus has 6 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

$C:1s^22s^22p^2$

Carbon needs to lose or gain 4 electrons to attain noble gas configuration.

2) Chlorine is an element with atomic number 17 and thus has 17 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

$Cl:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^5$

Chlorine needs to gain 1 electron to attain noble gas configuration and thus has strongest tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

3) Silicon is an element with atomic number 14 and thus has 14 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

$Si:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^2$

Silicon needs to lose or gain 4 electrons to attain noble gas configuration.

4) Sulfur is an element with atomic number 16 and thus has 16 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

$S:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^4$

Sulfur needs to gain 2 electrons to attain noble gas configuration.