Question

Which of the following is correct?

A. Electronegativity is a measure of the attraction of an electron by an isolated atom.
B. Elements with a high electronegativity form only ionic compounds.
C. Electronegativity usually increases from left to right across a period.
D. Electronegativity values are absolute numbers used to calculate the dipole moment of an atom.
F. All metals form only covalent compounds because their electronegativity values are so only ionic compounds.

Answer 1

Electronegativity is a measure of the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a compound. C) Electronegativity values generally increase from left to right across the periodic table.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electronegativity is a measure of the ability of an atom to attract electrons when the atom is part of a compound. Electronegativity values generally increase from left to right across the periodic table. Therefore, option C is correct.

Option A is incorrect because electronegativity is not a measure of the attraction of an electron by an isolated atom, but rather by an atom in a compound. Option B is incorrect because elements with a high electronegativity can form both ionic and covalent compounds.

Option D is incorrect because electronegativity values are not used to calculate the dipole moment of an atom. Option E is incorrect because it makes a generalization that all metals form only covalent compounds, which is not true.