Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons within a chemical bond. It is a dimensionless quantity usually assigned values on the Pauling scale.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Fluorine has the highest electronegativity value of 3.98 on the Pauling scale.
Electronegativity generally increases across a period from left to right in the periodic table.
Electronegativity generally decreases down a group in the periodic table.
Differences in electronegativity between two atoms can predict bond type: nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, or ionic.
A large difference in electronegativity between bonding atoms often results in an ionic bond.
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Related terms
Pauling Scale: A numerical scale used to measure an atom's electronegativity based on bond dissociation energies.
Ionic Bond: A type of chemical bond formed through electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.