L14 - Electronegativity

Question 1

What is electronegativity?

Answer 1

The power of an atom to attract electron density is a covalent bond towards itself

• As we go up the periodic table, electronegativity increases
• As we go across the periodic table, electronegativity increases

Fluoride = highest electronegativity

Question 2

What is non-polar?

Answer 2

Forms between 2 atoms of the same electronegativity, where they equally share the electron

e.g.
Cl - Cl

Question 3

What is polar?

Answer 3

Forms between 2 atoms of different electronegativity, where the electron cloud is distorted

e.g. H - Cl