Question

Which of the following Periodic Table trends (characteristics) is incorrect?

a) electron affinity decreases from top to bottom on the periodic table
b) electronegativity decreases left to right across the periodic table
c) atomic radii decreases left to right across the periodic table
d) ionization energy decreases from top to bottom on the periodic table

Answer 1

(b) electronegativity decreases left to right across the periodic table

Electronegativity increases from left to right in a period across the periodic table.

Electronegativity is a relative property that defines the tendency to attract shared pair of electrons. It is a unitless parameter that is calculated by different formulae.

Pauling scale is widely used to calculate the electronegativity values of a covalent bond. e.g. F = 4.0, Cl = 3.0, etc.

⇒Electron affinity decreases from top to bottom in the periodic table.

⇒Atomic radii decrease from left to right in the periodic table.

⇒Ionization energy decreases from top to bottom in the periodic table.