Question

Compare the elements of group 15 with those of group 16 in relation to the following property:

Electronegativity

Answer 1

1. Group 16 elements have higher electronegativity values than the corresponding elements of group 15 in the same period.
2. This is because group 16 elements have a higher effective nuclear charge, pulling electrons more strongly toward the nucleus.
3. Oxygen, a group 16 element, is the second most electronegative element after fluorine.
4. Electronegativity decreases down both groups due to increasing atomic size and decreasing effective nuclear charge.
5. Group 15 elements have lower electronegativity, as they have one less electron in the same period, resulting in less nuclear attraction for electrons.