Chapter 23: Problem 8

A student suggests that the reason the dividing line goes down and to the right has to do with how electronegativies vary in the periodic table. She says that in order to correspond to a roughly constant electronegativity, the line must be oriented the way that it is (as opposed to being, for example, horizontal or vertical). Indicate whether you agree or disagree with this student, and explain your reasoning.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The student's suggestion is correct. The orientation of the dividing line in the periodic table corresponds to the pattern of electronegativity, increasing from left to right and decreasing down a group. Therefore, it can be said that to reflect a roughly constant electronegativity, the line needs to be oriented as it is.

Step by step solution

Understanding Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons towards itself. It follows a certain trend in the periodic table: electronegativity generally increases across a period from left to right as the atomic number increases and usually decreases down a group.

Correlation with the Dividing Line

The dividing line in the periodic table separates metals, which are located at its left and have lower electronegativities, from nonmetals, which are on its right and have higher electronegativities. Therefore, the orientation of this line from the lower left (high atomic number, low electronegativity) toward the upper right (low atomic number, high electronegativity) illustrates the electronegativity trend.

Evaluate the Student’s Statement

In light of the explanation provided, the student’s suggestion is correct. To display the characteristic pattern of electronegativity in the periodic table, the dividing line must be angled as it is, rather than being horizontal or vertical.

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Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Electronegativity

Correlation with the Dividing Line

Evaluate the Student’s Statement

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