Electronegativity Fundamentals
Think of electronegativity as an atom's greediness for electrons in a covalent bond - the higher the value, the more it wants those electrons for itself. When two atoms with different electronegativities bond, the electron pair gets pulled more towards the greedier atom, creating an uneven distribution.
This uneven sharing creates polar covalent bonds, which can give entire molecules a permanent dipole (like a tiny magnet with positive and negative ends). The Pauling scale measures this electron-attracting power from 0 to 4, making it easy to compare different elements.
Three key factors determine an atom's electronegativity: nuclear charge moreprotons=strongerpull, distance from nucleus closer=strongerattraction, and electron shielding fewerinnerelectrons=lessblocking. These factors work together to create predictable patterns across the periodic table.
Key Insight: Electronegativity isn't just theory - it directly affects whether molecules will dissolve in water, their boiling points, and how they interact with other substances.