Question

In the periodic table the element with highest electro negativity is
1. F
2. Cl
3. N
4. O

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : F

Fluorine is the most electronegative element. It has an atomic configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁵.

The s subshell has 1 orbital that can hold up to 2 electrons, the p subshell has 3 orbitals that can hold up to 6 electrons, the d subshell has 5 orbitals that hold up to 10 electrons, and the f subshell has 7 orbitals with 14 electrons.

As in the above option, the last option has 5 electrons in p subshell which means it needs only one 1 electron to complete the orbit so it will try to accept an electron which will make it the most electronegative element in the given options.

• Electronegativity: A qualitative measure of the ability of an atom in a chemical compound to attract shared electrons to itself is called electronegativity. It is the property of an atom that increases with its tendency to attract the electrons of a bond.
• Example: F, Cl, Br, S, O, etc.​
• Moving from left to right in any period, the electronegativity increases.
• Moving from top to bottom in any group, the electronegativity decreases.
• Electronegativity(E.N) of elements are; F = 4, Cl = 3, N = 3, O = 3.5.
• Therefore, the trend is :

F > O > N = Cl

So, F is the most electronegative element among the given elements​

• The most electronegative element is fluorine.
• The least electronegative or most electropositive element is francium.
• The greater the difference between atom electronegativity values, the more polar the chemical bond formed between them.