Question #6623e
1 Answer
Apr 9, 2017
Electronegativity describes how well an atom hogs electron - in other words, an atom where electrons want to spend more time around it.
Explanation:
The strength of an atom's electronegativity is determined by its bond polarity. There are different types of covalent bonds - polar or non-polar covalent bonds.
In polar covalent bonds, there is an unequal pull of electrons where one atom have more electrons around it, increasing its electronegativity. In non-polar covalent bonds, electrons tend to spend an equal amount of time around each atom.
However, as a general rule, electronegativity increases as you go from left to right across the periodic table. It decreases as you go down the periodic table.
