ELECTRONEGATIVITY

• WHAT IS ELECTRONEGATIVITY?

  ability of an atom to attract the electron density towards itself in a covalent bond
• WHAT DOES ELECTRONEGATIVITY DEPEND ON?

  • electrostatic attraction between nucleus and bonding electrons in outer shell
  • nuclear charge
  • distance between nucleus and bonding electrons in outer shell
  • shielding effect of inner electron shells
• WHAT HAPPENS TO ELECTRONEGATIVITY DOWN THE GROUP?

  decreases
• WHY DOES ELECTRONEGATIVITY DECREASE DOWN THE GROUP?

  • outer electrons are further away from nucleus
  • bigger atom size
  • less electrostatic attraction
  • greater shielding effect