Question

electronegativity tends to decrease as you move _________.
a. up a column on the periodic table
b. down a column on the periodic table
c. from left to right across the periodic table
d. from the bottom - left to the top - right of the periodic table

Explanation:

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. As you move down a column (group) in the periodic table, the atomic radius increases. The outermost electrons are further from the nucleus and are shielded by inner - shell electrons. This reduces the nucleus's pull on the electrons, so electronegativity decreases.

• Option A: Moving up a column, atomic radius decreases, and electronegativity increases.
• Option C: Moving from left to right across a period, atomic radius decreases (due to increased nuclear charge and same electron shell), and electronegativity increases.
• Option D: From the bottom - left (larger atoms, more shielding) to the top - right (smaller atoms, less shielding) of the periodic table, electronegativity increases.

Answer:

B. down a column on the periodic table