Question

Electronegativity is defined as the power of an atom in a molecule to _____________

(a) Repel electrons towards itself

(b) Attract electrons towards itself

(c) Expand itself

(d) All of the mentioned

I had been asked this question in unit test.

Enquiry is from Inductive Effect topic in section Reactivity of Molecules Reaction Mechanism of Engineering Chemistry I

Answer 1

Right answer is (b) Attract electrons towards itself

The explanation is: Electronegativity is defined as the power of an atom in a molecule to attract electrons towards itself. Fluorine is the most electronegative element.