Which element is known for having the highest electronegativity on the periodic table?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Fluorine.
Fluorine is the element with the highest electronegativity on the periodic table, with a value of 3.98 on the Pauling scale. Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond. Fluorine’s small atomic size and high nuclear charge make it extremely effective at attracting bonding electrons. This property makes it highly reactive, especially with metals and hydrogen. Due to its high electronegativity, fluorine forms strong bonds and is widely used in chemical compounds, including Teflon and various pharmaceuticals. Its high reactivity also means it is rarely found in elemental form in nature.
Other options :
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Oxygen: Highly electronegative (3.44), but second to fluorine.
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Carbon: Moderate electronegativity (2.55); forms stable covalent bonds.
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Hydrogen: Lower electronegativity (2.20); often forms polar bonds.