Question

How would you arrange the following atoms in order of decreasing electronegativity using only the periodic table?
Sb, In, Cl, Se

Answer 1

As we know that electronegativity is basically the tendency of an atom to attract the shared pair of electrons towards itself. It is found that Fluorine is the most electronegativity element.

Complete step by step solution:
- As we know that francium is the least electronegative element and fluorine is the most electronegative element.
- As we know that when we move down the group in the periodic table, electronegativity value decreases. Whereas, electronegativity value basically increases as we move from left to the right side of the periodic table.
- So, Cl is found to be placed furthest to the top right in the periodic table, hence it has the highest electronegativity.
- We can see that In is furthest to the left and bottom hence, it has the lowest value of electronegativity.
- Sb is placed just right side of In in the same row, hence it has slightly higher electronegativity.
- Se is higher up and right than Sb but is lower and farther left than Cl, so its electronegativity is between the two. So, the order of decreasing electronegativity will be:
Cl > Se > Sb > In

- Hence, we can arrange the atoms in order of decreasing electronegativity using only the periodic table as Cl > Se > Sb > In

Note:
- It is found that electronegativity is a dimensionless property, as it is only a tendency.
. It is found that those elements that are having high electronegativity take an electron. And it helps the atoms to create partial negative regions and partial positive regions. This results in dipoles that cause polarity.