Question

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom’s affinity for electrons. Which of the following statements is true? Electronegativity increases as the size of atom increases. Electronegativity decreases as the size of atom decreases. Electronegativity increases as the size of atom decreases. Electronegativity is not related to atom size.

Answer 1

Answer: Electronegativity increases as the size of an atom decrease.

Explanation: Electronegativity is the measure of the ability of an atom in a bond to attract electrons to itself.

Electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group.

Towards the left of the table, valence shells are less than half full, so these atoms (metals) tend

to lose electrons and have low electronegativity. Towards the right of the table, valence shells are more than half full, so these atoms (nonmetals) tend to gain electrons and have high electronegativity.

Down a group, the number of energy levels (n) increases, and so does the distance between the nucleus and the outermost orbital. The increased distance and the increased shielding weaken the nuclear attraction, and so an atom can’t attract electrons as strongly.