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Chapter 8: Problem 37

Which of the following statements about electronegativity is false? (a) Electronegativity is the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract electron density toward itself. (b) Electronegativity is the same thing as electron affinity. (c) The numerical values for electronegativity have no units. (d) Fluorine is the most electronegative element. (e) Cesium is the least electronegative element.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The false statement about electronegativity is (b) Electronegativity is the same thing as electron affinity. These are distinct concepts, as electronegativity refers to atoms in compounds, while electron affinity refers to the addition of electrons to neutral atoms.

Step by step solution

01

Define electronegativity and electron affinity

Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself when it is part of a compound. The concept was developed by Linus Pauling and is quantified using the Pauling scale. Electron affinity, on the other hand, is the energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom, forming a negative ion.
02

Evaluate statement (a)

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract electron density toward itself. This statement is true. It precisely describes the concept of electronegativity.
03

Evaluate statement (b)

Electronegativity is the same thing as electron affinity. This statement is false. We have defined electronegativity and electron affinity earlier in Step 1, and they are distinct concepts. While both of them involve the attraction of electrons, electronegativity refers specifically to atoms in compounds, whereas electron affinity refers to the addition of electrons to neutral atoms.
04

Evaluate statement (c)

The numerical values for electronegativity have no units. This statement is true. Electronegativity values are unitless and typically fall between 0.7 and 4 on the Pauling scale, with higher values indicating a greater ability to attract electrons.
05

Evaluate statement (d)

Fluorine is the most electronegative element. This statement is true. Fluorine has the highest electronegativity value of 3.98 on the Pauling scale, indicating its strong tendency to attract electrons.
06

Evaluate statement (e)

Cesium is the least electronegative element. This statement is also true. Cesium has the lowest electronegativity value of 0.79 on the Pauling scale, showing its low tendency to attract electrons. Conclusion: Among the given options, statement (b) about electronegativity is false. Electronegativity is not the same thing as electron affinity.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the Lewis symbol for each of the following atoms or ions? (a) \(\mathrm{K},\) (b) As, (c) \(\mathrm{Sn}^{2+},(\mathbf{d}) \mathrm{N}^{3-}\) .

Draw the Lewis structure for \(\mathrm{NO}^{+} .\) Is the nitrogen-oxygen bond in \(\mathrm{NO}^{+}\) longer, shorter, or the same length as the nitrogen- oxygen bond in NO? Explain.

Ammonium chloride, \(\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{Cl},\) is a very soluble salt in water. (a) Draw the Lewis structures of the ammonium and chloride ions. (b) Is there an \(\mathrm{N}-\) Cl bond in solid ammonium chloride? (c) If you dissolve 14 gof ammonium chloride in 500.0 \(\mathrm{mL}\) of water, what is the molar concentration of the solution? (d) How many grams of silver nitrate do you need to add to the solution in part (c) to precipitate all of the chloride as silver chloride?

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