Question

question 6. rank the following atoms in order of decreasing electronegativity. chlorine (cl), barium (ba), phosphorus (p), lithium (li) answer: > > > phosphorus (p) chlorine (cl) lithium (li) barium (ba)

Explanation:

To rank the atoms in order of decreasing electronegativity, we use the periodic trend of electronegativity: electronegativity generally increases across a period from left to right and decreases down a group.

• Chlorine (Cl) is in Group 17, Period 3.
• Phosphorus (P) is in Group 15, Period 3.
• Lithium (Li) is in Group 1, Period 2.
• Barium (Ba) is in Group 2, Period 6.

Across Period 3, Cl (Group 17) has higher electronegativity than P (Group 15). Comparing Li (Period 2, Group 1) and Ba (Period 6, Group 2), Li is higher in electronegativity than Ba (since electronegativity decreases down a group). Also, non - metals (Cl, P) have higher electronegativity than metals (Li, Ba) in general. So the order from highest to lowest electronegativity is Cl > P > Li > Ba.

Answer:

Chlorine (Cl) > Phosphorus (P) > Lithium (Li) > Barium (Ba)