Problem

From their positions in the periodic table, arran…

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Problem 16 Medium Difficulty

From its position in the periodic table, determine which atom in each pair is more electronegative:
(a) N or P
(b) N or Ge
(c) S or F
(d) Cl or S
(e) H or C
(f) Se or P
(g) C or Si

Answer

a)
Although nitrogen $(\mathrm{N})$ and phosphorus $(\mathrm{P})$ are in the same group, nitrogen is more
electronegative than phosphorus. Phosphorus belongs to the third period
$\text { (atomic number } \mathrm{Z}=15) \text { and nitrogen belongs to the second period (atomic number } \mathrm{Z}=7)$
and hence the size of phosphorus is larger than nitrogen. When the size of the atom increases
the electronegativity decreases.
b)
The atomic number of nitrogen $(\mathrm{N})$ is 7 and that of germanium (Ge) is $32 .$ Germanium
having 32 electrons is larger in size compared to nitrogen which has 7 electrons and hence the
electronegativity of nitrogen is higher than germanium. The electronegativity decreases as we go
down the group.
c)
Sulfur $(\mathrm{S})$ is in group 16 and is second member of the oxygen group elements. Compared to
oxygen, sulfur is less electronegative because the electronegativity decreases with increase in
atomic number. Fluorine (F) belongs to group 17 (halogen group). Halogens are more
electronegative than other elements of their corresponding period. Fluorine is the most
electronegative element.
d)
The atomic number of chlorine $(\mathrm{Cl})$ is 17 and that of sulfur $(\mathrm{S})$ is $16 .$ Within the same period
the electronegativity increases with increase in atomic number and hence chlorine is more
electronegative than sulfur.
e)
Hydrogen (H) behaves like metal which means it readily gives away its electron. However
$\text { compared to metals hydrogen is more electronegative. Carbon }(\mathrm{C}) \text { is a non-metal (group } 14)$
and is more electronegative than hydrogen.
f)
Electronegativity decreases with increase in size. The atomic number of selenium (Se) and
phosphorus (P) is 34 and 15 respectively, therefore size of selenium is more than
phosphorous. So phosphorus is more electronegative than selenium.
g)
Electronegativity of elements decreases as we move down the group. The size of the atom
increases down the group and the valence electrons are loosely held. In other words the
attractive force between the nucleus and valence electrons is less. Carbon (C) which is the first
member of group 14 is more electronegative than silicon (Si).

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Video Transcript

to determine which of the elements in a pair is mawr electoral negative just by its position in the periodic table. We need to review how the periodic table can be used to determine relative electoral negativity. Values. Electoral negativity increases typically as we go up the periodic table and left to right across the periodic table. So if we're looking at nitrogen and phosphorus, we need to find their location on the periodic table and then recognize that we increase as we go up. So nitrogen would be the more electoral negative. Now if we're comparing nitrogen and uranium, nitrogen is also up and to the right, so it would be more electoral negative, the next to our sulfur and Floren. Florence is up and to the right of sulfur, so Floren would be more electro negative. Then we have chlorine and sulfur. Chlorine is to the right of sulfur, so chlorine would be more electro negative. The next to our hydrogen and carbon carbon is down one but far to the right, so it would be mawr electro negative because it's farther to the right than down as a general rule. And then we have selenium and phosphorus selenium is in this location. Phosphorus is in this location. This one is tricky because selenium is more to the right by one space. Phosphorus is up higher by one space. And sometimes when you have a pair like this that air touching just with a corner, it's the one up top that is more electro negative. And sometimes it's the one down below that's more electro negative. So from position alone, you cannot determine which one of these is Mawr electro negative. You'll have to look this one up. This one is selenium, the next to our carbon and silicone. Carbon is up, one from silicone, so it's more electro negative.

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