E

Electronegativity

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What is Electronegativity?

Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons toward itself in a covalent bond. The Pauling scale is the most widely used, with fluorine having the highest value (3.98). Electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group; differences in electronegativity determine bond polarity.

Key Facts

Term Electronegativity

Frequently Asked Questions

Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons toward itself in a covalent bond. The Pauling scale is the most widely used, with fluorine having the highest value (3.98). Electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group; differences in electronegativity determine bond polarity.

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