Electronegativity

[Samin Kabir]

So are atoms more electronegative going from left to right because they get closer and closer to filling the octet, so the pull is stronger? What about when you go down a group what is the reasoning for why electronegativity decreases.

[connie ma 3G]

going down the periodic table there is an increase in the atomic radius/number of "shells" which increases the shielding effect and decreases the zeff. as a result there is less "pull" for electrons.

[Justin Zhang_1A]

As you go down the periodic table, n increases, which means there are more shells between the valence electrons and the nucleus. This reduces the nucleus's pull on the valence electrons, and makes the valence electrons easier to remove, which is why electronegativity decreases. As you move across the periodic table from left to right, electronegativity increases because there are more protons in the nucleus to pull on the valence electrons, so the valence electrons are held more tightly.

[Armen_Isayan_2L]

Hello! Atoms are more electronegative going from the left to the right of the periodic table because the number of charges within the nucleus increase, hence increasing the electronegativity. In essence, as the electronegativity increases, the atoms are able to bond with electrons more easily. Also, as you move down a group, electronegativity decreases because the distance of the electrons from the nucleus increases.

[LarisaAssadourian2K]

I agree with the previous responses. As you go down the periodic table, the number of shells in each atom increases. So the atomic radius gets bigger, the valence electrons are farther from the nucleus, and the pull becomes weaker.

[Logan Wiedemann 3J]

As the atomic radius increases, the atom becomes more electronegative because the electrons are further and further away from the nucleus!!

[Maddie Turk Disc 2J]

so to clarify, electronegativity and atomic radius are comparable right?

[Andrew Yoon 3L]

@Maddie Turk

Yes, as the atomic radius increases, the electronegativity decreases. Because the electrons are further and further away from the nucleus of the element, the element becomes less active to attract electrons.

[Jaclyn Schwartz 1I]

The reason electronegativity decreases down the periodic table is because the atomic radius increases. An increases in the radius means there are more shells and the electrons are farther away so there is less of an attraction.

[Shivani Kapur 2J]

Electronegativity decreases down a group as more shells get added. The addition of these valence shells results in the electrons being further away from the nucleus and therefore they see a smaller attraction to it.