Question

Which things determine an element's electronegativity?

Check all that apply.

A. The size of the atom of that element
B. Whether the element is a gas or a liquid at room temperature
C. The number of neutrons
D. The number of electrons in the valence shell

Answer 1

Cannot be A, B or C because there is no charge dependence relating to those statements.

Answer 2

valence electrons takes part in bonding.

Answer 3

This is what happens when you ask the physicists who's theories only involve hydrogen most of the time. :P

A chemist's answer would also be:
A too as when the distance between the valence electrons and nucleus increases, the electronegativity decreases.

In general:
If you go from left to the right in the periodic table we should as a rule of thumb expect an increases in electronegativity, similar if we go from the bottom towards the top of the periodic table we should also as a rule of thumb expect an increase in electronegativity.

Answer 4

@Frostbite
I considered A but ruled it out precisely because it was asked on a Physics forum. I cannot fault your answer.

Answer 5

@Farcher I do chemistry mostly why I thought it might be relevant to mention! :)

Answer 6

i think its 4 th option becoz we can add an electron based on the valency electron already present .the energy absorbed while adding electron will be depending on valency electrons
that explains the nuclear attraction