Question

The electronegativity of $Cl,F,O,S$ increases in the order of:
A. $S,O,Cl,F$
B. $S,Cl,O,F$
C. $Cl,S,O,F$
D. $S,O,F,Cl$

Answer 1

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom’s ability to attract shared electrons to it. Smaller is the atom, the tendency to attract the shared pair of electrons towards itself will be more. Similarly larger the atom is, it will have a low tendency to attract that shared pair of electrons.

Complete step by step solution:
Electronegativity is the tendency to attract the electrons towards itself in a molecule or compound. The value of electronegativity of an element describes the ability of its atom to compete for the electron with the other atoms to which it is bounded.
Electronegativity depends upon four factors,
1. Size of the atom: Electronegativity increases with the decrease in the size of the atoms. Electronegativity decreases with increase in the size of the atom
2. Positive charge on the atom: Electronegativity is directly proportional to the positive charge on the cation. More the positive charge, electronegativity will be higher and vice versa.
3. Negative charge on the atom: Electronegativity is inversely proportional to the negative charge on the anions. More the negative charge on the anion, it will be less electronegative and vice versa
4. S-character: Electronegativity is directly proportional to s-character. Higher the s- character on the atom/ion, that atom/ion will be more electronegative.
On the basis of these four factors, we generally compare the electronegativity.
Periodic trend for electronegativity: Electronegativity generally increases across a period from left to right. Fluorine has the highest electronegativity. As we move from left to right, the attraction between the outer or valence electrons and the nucleus increases as the atomic radius decreases.Electronegativity decreases as we go down in the group.
As now we know the highest Electronegativity will be of fluorine, then of oxygen, then chlorine and least electronegativity will be of sulphur.

**Hence the option B is correct.

Note: **
Electronegativity is not the property of isolated atoms. It depends on the element to which the atom is bonded. Therefore Electronegativity is molecular property not atomic property. And that is why Electronegativity of noble gas is not defined.