Question

Electronegativity across the period ______. [increases/decreases].

Answer 1

Electronegativity across the period increases.

Explanation:

As you move from left to right across a period, the atomic radius decreases while the number of protons in the nucleus increases, raising the effective nuclear charge. This stronger nuclear pull allows the atom to attract a shared pair of bonding electrons much more effectively. Consequently, the ability of the atom to draw electrons toward itself rises steadily across the row.