Question

Arrange the following elements in increasing order of electronegativity:

N, O, F, C, Si

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Options

• O < F < N < C < Si

• F < O < N < C < Si

• Si < C < N < O < F

• Si < C < O < N < F

Answer 1

Si < C < N < O < F

Explanation:

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons toward itself.

Electronegativity depends on the number of electrons and the size of the atom.

Fluorine has 7 electrons in its outermost shell and requires just 1 electron to complete its octet. Its short atomic size makes it a strongly electronegative element.

Electronegativity increases across the period and decreases down the group. Therefore, the correct order of electronegativity is Si < C < N < O < F.