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Chapter 5: Problem 109

What are the trends for electronegativity in the periodic table: (a) Down a group? (b) Across a period from left to right? (c) Going from the bottom left corner to the upper right corner?

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) Down a group, electronegativity generally decreases due to increased distance between the nucleus and the outer electrons. (b) Across a period from left to right, electronegativity generally increases because of the increased nuclear charge with the same energy level. (c) Going from the bottom left corner to the upper right corner, electronegativity generally increases due to the increased nuclear charge and minimal shielding effect by electrons in the same energy levels.

Step by step solution

01

(a) Down a group

When moving down a group in the periodic table, the electronegativity of the elements generally decreases. This is because, as we move down a group, each successive element has an additional electron shell, making the outer electrons further away from the nucleus. As a result, the ability of the nucleus to attract electrons decreases, leading to a decrease in electronegativity.
02

(b) Across a period from left to right

As we move across a period from left to right in the periodic table, the electronegativity generally increases. This occurs because the number of protons in the nucleus increases from left to right, while the electrons are still located in the same energy level. Therefore, the nucleus can attract outer electrons more strongly, and thus, the electronegativity increases.
03

(c) Going from the bottom left corner to the upper right corner

When considering the trend in electronegativity going diagonally from the bottom left corner to the upper right corner of the periodic table, the electronegativity generally increases. This is because, in each successive element, there is an increase in the number of protons, leading to a stronger nuclear charge. At the same time, there is little shielding effect by electrons in the same energy levels, resulting in a higher ability to attract electrons toward the nucleus. Hence, electronegativity increases when going from the bottom left to the upper right corner of the periodic table.

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