Question

Electronegativity of beryllium is approximately equal to that of (1) Aluminium (2) Boron (3) Magnesium (4) Sodium

Short answer

Aluminium

Step-by-step solution

- Define Electronegativity

Electronegativity is the measure of an atom's ability to attract and bond with electrons. Higher electronegativity means an atom attracts electrons more strongly.

- Identify the Electronegativity of Beryllium

Beryllium has an electronegativity of approximately 1.57 on the Pauling scale.

- Compare Electronegativity Values of the Given Elements

Check the electronegativity values of the listed elements: Aluminium (1.61), Boron (2.04), Magnesium (1.31), and Sodium (0.93).

- Find the Closest Match

Compare the values and identify which element has an electronegativity closest to 1.57. Here, Aluminium has an electronegativity of 1.61, which is the closest to Beryllium's 1.57.

Key concepts

Comparing Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a key concept in chemistry that helps us understand how atoms interact in molecules. By definition, it reflects the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons towards itself. This property is not constant and varies between different elements.

To compare electronegativities, we use a numerical scale called the Pauling scale. Elements with higher values on this scale are more electronegative.

For example, in the given exercise, we need to compare the values of several elements: beryllium, aluminum, boron, magnesium, and sodium. The Pauling scale provides precise values like 1.57 for beryllium and 1.61 for aluminum.
Identifying the closest match, we see that aluminum (1.61) is closest to beryllium (1.57). This allows us to conclude that the electronegativities of beryllium and aluminum are quite similar. Comparing electronegativity helps in predicting molecular behavior, bond strengths, and chemical reactivity.

Pauling Scale

The Pauling scale is a widely used system for quantifying electronegativity. Developed by Linus Pauling, it assigns values to elements based on their ability to attract electrons.

The scale ranges from approximately 0.7 to 4.0, with higher values indicating stronger attraction for electrons. For instance, fluorine, the most electronegative element, has a value of about 4.0. In contrast, elements like cesium have lower values around 0.7.

In the exercise in question, we use the Pauling scale to find that beryllium's electronegativity is 1.57. This value is then compared to those of other elements to find the closest match, aiding in our understanding of elemental properties.
Understanding and utilizing the Pauling scale is fundamental in chemistry for predicting and explaining the nature of chemical bonds and molecular structures.

Chemistry Problem Solving

Solving chemistry problems often involves breaking down complex information into simpler, manageable steps. For this exercise, we used a step-by-step method:

• Step 1: Define what you're solving for. Here, we started by defining electronegativity.
• Step 2: Gather relevant data. We identified the electronegativity of beryllium.
• Step 3: Compare this data with given options. We checked the electronegativity of listed elements: aluminum, boron, magnesium, and sodium.
• Step 4: Analyze and conclude. We found that aluminum's value is closest to beryllium's.

This structured approach ensures clarity and accuracy. By identifying the problem, collecting data, and making comparisons, we can confidently solve chemistry-related questions. This method can be applied to a wide range of problems beyond electronegativity.