Using only the periodic table as your guide, select the most electronegative atom in each of the following sets: (a) Se, Te, $\mathrm{Br}, \mathrm{I} ;(\mathbf{b}) \mathrm{Be}, \mathrm{Mg}, \mathrm{C}, \mathrm{Si} ;(\mathbf{c}) \mathrm{Al}, \mathrm{Si}, \mathrm{P}, \mathrm{S} ;(\mathbf{d}) \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{P}, \mathrm{Ge}, \mathrm{In}$.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The most electronegative elements in each set are: (a) \(Br\) (b) \(C\) (c) \(S\) (d) \(O\)

Step by step solution

01

Set (a): Se, Te, Br, I

Referring to the periodic table, we can see that Se, Te, Br, and I are in the same period with increasing atomic number. As electronegativity increases from left to right in a period, the most electronegative element in this set is \(Br\).
02

Set (b): Be, Mg, C, Si

In this set, Be and Mg belong to Group 2 and C and Si belong to Group 14. Since electronegativity increases from left to right in a period, C and Si should be more electronegative than Be and Mg. Now, between C and Si, Si is below C in the periodic table, and electronegativity generally decreases down a group. Therefore, the most electronegative element in this set is \(C\).
03

Set (c): Al, Si, P, S

In this set, Al, Si, P, and S are in the same period with increasing atomic number. Electronegativity increases from left to right in a period. Therefore, the most electronegative element in this set is \(S\).
04

Set (d): O, P, Ge, In

In this set, O and P belong to Group 16 and 15 respectively, while Ge and In belong to Group 14 and 13 respectively. Electronegativity increases from left to right in a period, so O and P should be more electronegative than Ge and In. Between O and P, P is below O in the periodic table, and electronegativity generally decreases down a group. Therefore, the most electronegative element in this set is \(O\). To summarize the most electronegative elements in each set: (a) \(Br\) (b) \(C\) (c) \(S\) (d) \(O\)

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