Electronegativity
Part of the Atomic Structure section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 40 of 45.
Electronegativity is how strongly an atom pulls shared electrons in a bond toward itself. On the Pauling scale it runs from about 0.8 to 4.0.
It rises across a period (more protons) and falls down a group (electrons farther away).
Electronegativity: highest at fluorine, top right
Fluorine, at the top right, is the most electronegative element, 3.98. Cesium and francium, at the bottom left, are the least.
Challenge
Five elements meet in a bonding experiment: chlorine, sodium, sulfur, potassium and magnesium. Put them in order of electronegativity, the lowest first.
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Atomic Structure
1Matter and Atoms
What Everything Is Made OfElements, Compounds, MixturesChemical SymbolsCounting Atoms in a FormulaRecap - Molecule Kit