Electronegativity: unequal electron sharing
Electronegativity expresses the relative tendency of a bonded atom to draw electron density toward itself. It is neither a charge nor an energy measured in the same way as ionization energy.
Understand before calculating
Electronegativity expresses the relative tendency of a bonded atom to draw electron density toward itself. It is neither a charge nor an energy measured in the same way as ionization energy.
Example
In H–Cl, chlorine draws more electron density toward itself: the bond is polarized without being treated as a simple complete electron transfer.
The classic trap
Do not turn a model into a literal photograph of reality. Scientific models select particular properties to explain or predict a phenomenon; knowing their limits is part of using them correctly.
Understanding check
Explain the concept to someone who knows the periodic table but not this chapter. Then give one example and one situation where the most common shortcut would become misleading.
In H–Cl, chlorine draws more electron density toward itself: the bond is polarized without being treated as a simple complete electron transfer.