Question detail
What is the definition of electronegativity?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Bonding
Question
- A. The ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons
- B. The ability of an atom to lose electrons
- C. The ability of an atom to gain protons
- D. The ability of an atom to form ionic bonds
Answer
The ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons
Explanation
Electronegativity is defined as the ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons in a chemical bond, which is crucial for understanding bond polarity.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Polar Bonds
Students often confuse electronegativity with the concept of polarity, thinking that a bond is polar simply because it involves different atoms, without considering the actual electronegativity difference.
To correctly explain polar bonds, use the rule that a bond is considered polar if the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms is greater than 0.4. For example, for a bond between chlorine (3.16) and hydrogen (2.20), the electronegativity difference is 0.96, indicating a polar bond. Thus, the bond is polar due to the significant difference in electronegativity.
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