What is the effect of increasing atomic number on electronegativity within a group?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the effect of increasing atomic number on electronegativity within a group?
It increases
It decreases
It remains the same
It fluctuates
Electronegativity decreases down a group because the increased distance between the nucleus and valence electrons reduces the nucleus's pull.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: What is the effect of increasing atomic number on electronegativity within a group?
Solution: Electronegativity decreases down a group because the increased distance between the nucleus and valence electrons reduces the nucleus's pull.
Steps: 7
Step 1: Understand what atomic number means. The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.
Step 2: Know what a group is. A group is a column in the periodic table where elements have similar properties.
Step 3: Recognize that as you move down a group, the atomic number increases. This means there are more protons in the nucleus.
Step 4: Realize that with more protons, there are also more electron shells added. This increases the distance between the nucleus and the outermost (valence) electrons.
Step 5: Understand electronegativity. Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a bond.
Step 6: Remember that a greater distance between the nucleus and valence electrons weakens the nucleus's pull on those electrons.
Step 7: Conclude that because the pull is weaker, electronegativity decreases as you go down a group.
