The Concept of Electronegativity

Unlike many other periodic trends, electronegativity does not have actual units. Instead, it is a
way of combining two other periodic trends: ionization energy and electron affinity. Ionization
energy is the amount of energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom. Electron
affinity is the amount of energy given off or required when a neutral atom gains an electron.
Electronegativity does not have any units. However, the Pauling scale for electronegativity lists
cesium as the least electronegative element, with a value of 0.79. In this scale, fluorine is the most
electronegative element, with a value of 4.0.
Sodium Chloride, an Ionic Bond
Sodium has an electronegativity of 0.9, while chlorine has an electronegativity of 3.0. The
difference between these values is 2.1, which means that sodium chloride has an ionic bond. In an
ionic bond, the more electronegative element will attract an electron from the less electronegative
element. In this case, chlorine becomes a Cl- ion, while sodium becomes an Na+ ion.
Water, a Polar Bond
Hydrogen has an electronegativity of 2.0, while oxygen has an electronegativity of 3.5. The
difference in electronegativities is 1.5, which means that water is a polar covalent molecule. This
means that the electrons are drawn significantly towards the more electronegative element, but
the atoms do not become ionized. In water, an electron from each of the hydrogen atoms is drawn
towards the oxygen atom. In this case, the oxygen atom has a partial negative charge, whereas the
hydrogen atoms have partial positive charges.
Hydrogen Gas, a Covalent Bond
In hydrogen gas, two hydrogen atoms bond together. The electronegativity difference between
these atoms is zero. This is a nonpolar covalent bond. In this case, the electrons of the two atoms
do not favor one atom over the other. Instead, they orbit both nuclei and are said to be shared
between the two atoms. Covalent bonds can exist between two different elements as well, as long
as their electronegativity difference is less than 0.4.