Chapter 3: Problem 84
According to Mulliken, the electronegativity of an clement is the (1) Product of electron affinity and ionisation potential values (2) Difference of electron affinity and ionisation potential values (3) Sum of the electron affinity and ionisation potential values (4) Average of the electron affinity and ionisation potential values
Short Answer
Expert verified
Option (4) is correct: the average of the electron affinity and ionization potential.
Step by step solution
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Electronegativity
Electronegativity is a fundamental concept in chemistry that describes how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a chemical bond. Different elements have different tendencies to attract electrons. This concept helps predict the behavior of atoms when they interact. A higher electronegativity means an atom is more effective at attracting electrons. For context, fluorine is the most electronegative element on the periodic table.
Electron Affinity
Electron affinity measures the amount of energy released when an atom in the gas phase gains an electron. It essentially signifies how eager an atom is to accept an extra electron. Higher electron affinity values indicate that an atom releases more energy when an electron is added, showing a greater tendency to form negative ions. For example, halogens like chlorine have high electron affinities because they readily gain electrons to form stable outer shells.
Ionization Potential
Ionization potential, also known as ionization energy, refers to the energy required to remove an electron from an atom in its gaseous state. It’s a measure of how tightly an electron is bound to an atom. Higher ionization potentials indicate that it requires more energy to remove an electron, signifying a strong hold on its electrons. Noble gases, like neon, have high ionization potentials due to their stable electron configurations.
Average Calculation
Mulliken's Electronegativity can be calculated by taking the average of the electron affinity and ionization potential of an element. The formula is: \[ \text{Mulliken Electronegativty} = \frac{\text{Electron Affinity + Ionization Potential}}{2} \] This method provides a balanced view of an element's tendency to attract electrons, considering both how strongly it holds onto its electrons (ionization potential) and how readily it can gain new ones (electron affinity).
