Question

Explain why electronegativity of halogen & highest in each period but that for inert gas is zero.

A. Electronegativity decreases across periods for halogens.
B. Electronegativity increases across periods for halogens.
C. Electronegativity decreases across periods for inert gases.
D. Electronegativity is constant across periods for halogens.

Answer 1

Electronegativities increase across periods for halogens and decrease across periods for inert gases. Halogens have the highest electronegativities in each period due to their small atomic size and high effective nuclear charge. Inert gases have an electronegativity of zero because their electron shells are completely filled.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electronegativities generally increase from left to right across a period in the periodic table and decrease from top to bottom within a group. Halogens, such as fluorine, have the highest electronegativities in each period because they have a strong attraction for electrons due to their small atomic size and high effective nuclear charge. Inert gases, also known as noble gases, have an electronegativity of zero because their electron shells are completely filled, making them chemically unreactive.