Question

considering the elements: sulfur, chlorine, selenium and bromine, which has the greatest electronegativity?
○ sulfur
○ bromine
○ selenium
○ chlorine

Explanation:

Step1: Recall electronegativity trend

Electronegativity increases across a period (left to right) and decreases down a group (top to bottom) in the periodic table.

Step2: Locate elements in periodic table

Sulfur (S), Chlorine (Cl) are in period 3; Selenium (Se), Bromine (Br) are in period 4. Chlorine is to the right of Sulfur in period 3. Bromine is to the right of Selenium in period 4. Also, Chlorine is above Bromine (same group, group 17), and Sulfur is above Selenium (same group, group 16).

Step3: Compare electronegativities

Across period 3: Cl > S. Across period 4: Br > Se. Down group 17: Cl > Br. Down group 16: S > Se. Combining these, Cl has higher electronegativity than S, Br, and Se.

Answer:

D. Chlorine