Definition of Electronegativity



Electronegativity is stated as the capacity of an atom of an element, participating in the covalent bonding, to attract a shared pair of electrons. This tendency of an atom is influenced by the atomic number as well as by atomic radii. If the atom has a greater number of protons in it, it can pull the electrons more strongly towards it.

 


Atomic radius is the distance between the outermost electron and the nucleus. The bonding pair is attracted more towards that atom which has a higher electronegativity. Fluorine is known to be the most electronegative atom with a value of 4.0.

 


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