What is meant by the term 'Electronegativity'

Electronegativity, as denoted by the Greek letter 'chi', is the tendency of an atom to attract bonding electrons within a covalent bond. Let us unravel what this means. The term electronegativity may only be applied to two atoms joined by a covalent bond because atoms joined by an ionic bond can only have an integer charge (such as Na+ and Cl- present in common salt with a full positive and negative charge respectively). However a covalent bond is the sharing of electrons without creating an integer charge because both atoms involved have a partial charge instead. Thus a partial charge gives rise to polarity which induces an electric dipole moment causing an attractive force to exist between the electrons of the atoms and so leading to this concept.

YT
Answered by Yeshurun T. Chemistry tutor

2779 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe a simple way to distinguish between aqueous solutions of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4) using one test tube reaction


What is Le Chatelier's principle?


How can I use an infrared spectrum with a mass spectrum to identify an unknown compound?


Explain why the first ionisation energy of strontium is less than the first ionisation energy of calcium


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences