Electronegativity Formula: Introduction and Patterns in Periodic Table
Electronegativity is a fundamental chemical property that measures the ability of an atom to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond.
Sawat Sayyed19 Sept, 2023
Share
As described by Linus Pauling, electronegativity is an element's ability to draw electrons towards itself. This property leaves atoms with a relative value compared to their bonded neighbors. Consequently, if one atom has a higher electronegativity than the other, the electron density of the bond will be skewed towards it, causing a slight negative charge on the more electronegative atom and a slight positive charge on the less electronegative one. For instance, if elements A and B are bonded together, and A has a greater electronegativity than B, then the electron pair of the bond will move towards A, making it slightly negatively charged. In contrast, element B becomes mildly positively charged.
These types of bonds are called polar bonds or polar covalent bonds. If the electronegativity of elements A and B is equal, they form a normal shared covalent bond. When the electronegativity difference between A and B is too high, A, being more electronegative than B, pulls both electrons towards itself completely, controlling both electrons completely. Irons are formed when A gets a negative charge, and B receives a positive charge. As a result, ionic bonds are formed between them.Periodic Trends in the Electronegativities of Elements
A period in the modern periodic table is characterized by an increasing nuclear charge and a decreasing atomic size as we move left to right. Therefore, the electronegativity of a period increases. Below is a chart depicting the electronegativity trend over period 3.
As we move down the modern periodic table, we see an increase in the atomic number, the nuclear charge also increases, but the effect of this increase in nuclear charge is offset by the addition of one shell. This leads to a decrease in electronegativity as we move down the group. It is shown in the diagram below that the electronegativity value decreases from fluorine to astatine in the halogen group.
As a general rule, metals have a lower electronegativity than non-metals. In other words, metals are electropositive and non-metals are electronegative. Period two elements differ from their group elements in their properties due to their small size and higher electronegativity values.
Also Read : Surface Chemistry Formula
A diagonal relationship is formed between the elements of the second period and those of the next group in period three because of a small difference in electronegativities.Most and Least Electronegative Elements
Fluorine is the most electronegative element on the periodic table. It has an electronegativity value of 3.98. Cesium has an electronegativity value of 0.79. Since electro positivity is the exact opposite of electronegativity, Cesium can be said to be the most electropositive element. Those elements with the fewest electrons required to complete their valence shells and the fewest inner electron shells between the positive nucleus and the valence electrons are the most electronegative. Fluorine is the most electronegative element. It has an electronegativity of 4.0. Metals have an electronegativity of less than 2.0. With electronegativity values of 0.7, cesium (Cs) and francium (Fr) are the least electronegative elements.Also Check - Value of Gas Constant Formula
As a result, The most electronegative element is fluorine, while the least electronegative element is cesium.Impact of Electronegativity on Covalent Bonding
The power of a covalent bond depends greatly on how electronegative the bonded atoms are, particularly the difference in their electronegativities. When dealing with homonuclear diatomic molecules, there is a 'pure' covalent bond since the two nuclei equally share the pair of electrons being held together. Examples of such bonds include H2, Cl2 and O2 molecules. On the other hand, a covalent bond between two species with different electronegativities tends to become polarized. In this process, the more electronegative atom pulls the electron pair closer to itself, developing a partially negative charge (denoted by the symbol -). The more electropositive atom is also characterized by a partial positive charge (denoted by +). These partial charges determine the chemical bond's polarity.Also Check - Boltzmann constant Formula
Bonds Between Highly Electronegative and Highly Electropositive Atoms
In covalent bonds featuring a large difference in the electronegativities of the bonded atoms, it is uncommon for the more electronegative atom to gain complete control over the bond pair of electrons, resulting in the formation of two ions. During the anion formation process, the more electronegative the atom, the more electropositive the atom. It is essential to be aware that all covalent bonds between different atoms contain a certain amount of ionic character. The reverse is true for ionic bonds too, as they will also have a slight covalent aspect. The difference between the electronegativities of each species can ascertain the degree of ionic character in the covalent bond. If this variation is minimal, then the link between them appears more covalent than ionic; if there is considerable disparity in electronegativity, the bond becomes predominantly polar and hence ionic.Electronegativity Table
Chemical properties such as electronegativity describe the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract electrons that have been shared with another atom. Atoms on the left-hand side of the periodic table have a significant difference in electronegativity. An element's electronegativity will be considered as the primary factor in chemical bonding because it plays an important role in determining the nature of bonds between elements.
Also Check - Modern Periodic Table Formula
Factors Affecting Electronegativity
The size of an atom Due to electrons being further away from the nucleus, a larger atomic size will result in less electronegativity. Nuclear Charge Increasing nuclear charge causes electrons to attract with a greater force, which results in a greater electronegativity. Effect of Subsituent The electronegativity of an atom depends on the nature of the substitute attached to that atom. For example, the carbon atom in CF3I acquires a greater positive charge than CH3I. Therefore, the C atom in CF3I is more electronegative than in CH3I. Substitutes change an atom's electronegativity, which affects its chemical behavior.Electronegativity Formula FAQs
What is electronegativity?
Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond.
How is electronegativity determined?
Electronegativity values are determined using various scales, with the Pauling scale being the most widely used.
What is the significance of electronegativity in chemical bonding?
Electronegativity helps predict the nature of chemical bonds; atoms with large differences in electronegativity tend to form polar or ionic bonds, while similar electronegativities result in nonpolar covalent bonds.
Which element has the highest electronegativity?
Fluorine has the highest electronegativity value of 3.98 on the Pauling scale.
How does electronegativity affect molecule polarity?
Molecules are polar when there is an electronegativity difference between atoms in the molecule, leading to uneven electron distribution and the presence of partial charges.
🔥 Trending Blogs
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.
