Question

which best describes the trends in electronegativity on the periodic table?
○ electronegativity increases up and to the right.
○ electronegativity increases down and to the left.
○ electronegativity decreases up and to the left.
○ electronegativity decreases down and to the right.

Explanation:

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. On the periodic table, as we move from left to right across a period, the number of protons in the nucleus increases, leading to a stronger pull on electrons, so electronegativity increases. As we move down a group, the atomic radius increases (more electron shells), so the nucleus has a weaker pull on outer electrons, meaning electronegativity decreases. So the trend is electronegativity increases up (moving up a group, atomic radius decreases, stronger pull) and to the right (across a period, more protons, stronger pull).

Answer:

Electronegativity increases up and to the right.