gen-define-electronegativity-and-give-one-short-worked-example-2780

Define electronegativity and give one short worked example.

# Electronegativity **Definition:** Electronegativity is the measure of an atom's ability to attract shared electrons toward itself in a chemical bond. - Higher electronegativity = stronger pull on bonding electrons - Most commonly measured using the Pauling scale (0-4) - Fluorine is the most electronegative element (4.0) ## Worked Example **Question:** Determine the polarity of the H-Cl bond. **Solution:** 1. Find electronegativity values: - Hydrogen (H): 2.1 - Chlorine (Cl): 3.0 2. Calculate the difference: - ΔEN = 3.0 - 2.1 = 0.9 3. Interpret the result: - ΔEN = 0.9 indicates a **polar covalent bond** - Chlorine attracts electrons more strongly, making it partially negative (δ-) - Hydrogen becomes partially positive (δ+) **Result:** H^(δ+)—Cl^(δ-) is a polar bond with chlorine as the negative end. --- *Note: ΔEN < 0.5 = nonpolar covalent; 0.5-1.7 = polar covalent; > 1.7 = ionic*