Question

The element with highest value of electronegativity is:
A.Carbon
B.Chlorine
C.Fluorine
D.Oxygen

Answer 1

Electronegativity is the property of elements to attract a pair of electrons more towards itself when bonded to another atom in a covalent compound and this property increases along the group and decreases down the group. Electronegativity increases as we move along the period and decreases down the group.

Complete answer:
The electronegativity of the elements is dependent on a number of factors such as the position of the element in the periodic table and the electronegativity of the elements decrease as we move the group. This is because down the group, the size of the elements increases and hence their tendency to attract the electron pair towards themselves decreases and the distance between the nucleus and the electron pair increases. However, as we move across the period, the electronegativity value increases this is because across the period, the size of the atom decreases as the distance between the electron pair and the nucleus is reduced and thus the attraction increases.
Due to the above considerations and reasons, fluorine becomes the most electronegative atom in the periodic table.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.
Note:
The members of the halogen family have the highest amount of electronegativity in the periodic table. The electronegativity of the also influences the reactive ability of the elements. The halogens and the alkali metals with the highest and the least amounts of electronegativities are the most reactive in the group. The other factors that affect the electronegativity of the elements are the atomic number of the element which is the one responsible for the properties of the elements as the properties are all periodic functions of the atomic number.