Question

Which element has an atom with the greatest tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond?

(1) carbon (3) silicon
(2) chlorine (4) sulfur

Answer 1

Because chlorine has the highest electronegativity among the four, it has the greatest tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

Therefore, (2) chlorine is the best answer.

Hope this helps~

Answer 2

Answer: (2) chlorine

Expalanation: 1) Carbon is an element with atomic number 6 and thus has 6 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

`C:1s^22s^22p^2`

Carbon needs to lose or gain 4 electrons to attain noble gas configuration.

2) Chlorine is an element with atomic number 17 and thus has 17 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

`Cl:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^5`

Chlorine needs to gain 1 electron to attain noble gas configuration and thus has strongest tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

3) Silicon is an element with atomic number 14 and thus has 14 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

`Si:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^2`

Silicon needs to lose or gain 4 electrons to attain noble gas configuration.

4) Sulfur is an element with atomic number 16 and thus has 16 electrons. It's electronic configuration is:

`S:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^4`

Sulfur needs to gain 2 electrons to attain noble gas configuration.