Using what you know about the trend of electronegativity on the periodic table, which of the following elements would be the most electronegative?
a
Neon
b
Iron
c
Fluorine
d
Calcium
The most electronegative element among the given options is fluorine.
The trend of electronegativity on the periodic table is that it generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group. The most electronegative element is found in the top right corner of the periodic table.
Among the options given, the most electronegative element is "Fluorine" (c).
To determine the most electronegative element among the given options, we need to analyze the trend of electronegativity on the periodic table. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond.
On the periodic table, electronegativity generally decreases from left to right across a period and increases from top to bottom across a group. This means that as we move from left to right across a period, the elements become more electronegative.
Now, let's analyze the elements in the options:
a) Neon: Neon is a noble gas and is located in Group 18 (or Group 8A), also known as the noble gases. Noble gases are known to have very low electronegativity. Therefore, Neon is not likely to be the most electronegative element.
b) Iron: Iron is a transition metal located in the d-block on the periodic table. Transition metals do not follow a consistent trend in electronegativity. Therefore, it is less likely for Iron to be the most electronegative element.
c) Fluorine: Fluorine is located in Group 17 (or Group 7A) of the periodic table, known as the halogens. Halogens are highly electronegative elements because they only need one additional electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. Thus, Fluorine is likely to be the most electronegative element among the given options.
d) Calcium: Calcium is an alkaline earth metal located in Group 2 (or Group 2A) of the periodic table. Alkaline earth metals have relatively low electronegativity. Therefore, Calcium is not likely to be the most electronegative element.
In conclusion, among the given options, the element with the highest electronegativity is Fluorine (option c).