How do you calculate the electronegativity of a compound?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 7, 2015

Electronegativity is a parameter used to describe atomic properties. A molecule may contain electronegative atoms, but we do not speak of its electronegativity.

Explanation:

Electronegativity is conceived to be the ability of atom in a molecule to polarize electron density towards itself. I write "conceived" because there is nothing fundamental about electronegativity, and its measurement depends on various ad hoc scales, of which the Pauling scale is the most famous and still widely used.

It makes sense that the most electronegative atoms, F, and O, are the ones that are right-most in the Periodic Table. For a given Period as Z, the atomic number, increases, effective nuclear charge increases and the valence electrons are held more tightly as more protons are added to the atomic nucleus; this is manifested in the marked decrease in atomic radii across a Period. See this wiki link .

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