Ek general chem

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yingao88

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In a bond between any two of the following atoms, the bonding electrons
Would be most strongly attracted to:
A. Cl
B. Cs
C. He
D. I


What is the question asking ? I don't understand the question !!!
 
In a bond between any two of the following atoms, the bonding electrons
Would be most strongly attracted to:
A. Cl
B. Cs
C. He
D. I


What is the question asking ? I don't understand the question !!!

The wording of this question is weird, but I think it's asking about the electronegativity of the atom. In this case, Chlorine is the most electronegative one.
 
A bond between any two. That means:
Cl-Cs
Cl-He
Cl-I
I-Cs
I-He
Cs-He
(while acknowledging that some of these aren't real) Chlorine attracts the electrons more strongly in each of the compounds it is associated with. The same is not true for the other elements.
 
How can you tell by the wording? any hint that I missed?

Electronegativity is, in broad terms, the relative ability/tendency of an atom to attract electrons. Any question which discusses electron affinity (energy of gaining an electron), charge distribution in 2 covalently bonded molecules, electron shell radius, ionization energy (energy required to strip an electron), or any derivative of those properties, will in the end be expecting an understanding of electronegativity. Almost every single periodic table trend you learn will come back to electronegativity. When in doubt, if a question asks you to compare any atom (or molecule differing by only one atom) and mentions charge or electrons, it's electronegativity. The real trick is identifying whether you want the most or least electronegative atom for the given situation!
 
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