Electronegativity

Electronegativity:- is the power of an atom to attract the electron density in a covalent bond towards itself.

Electronegativity depends on:-

• the nuclear charge
• the distance between the nucleus is to the shared outer shell electrons
• the shielding of the nuclear charge by electrons in inner shells

• As we go up the periodic table, electronegativity increases (atoms get smaller) and there is less shielding by electons in inner shells.

• As we go across the periodic table, electronegtivity increases. Nuclear charge increases but the shielding stays the same, the number of inner main levels remain the same and the atoms become smaller.

• Electroneativity decreases down a group as the numbe of shells increases, so shielding increases and the electrons are less strongly attracted to the atom.

Polarity