Question #ad508

1 Answer
May 17, 2017

Mg < Al < P < Cl

Explanation:

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract an electron to itself. Electronegativity increases up, and to the right, toward Fluorine. Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table.

The upper right corner of periodic table are non-metals. On the left side, you have the metals. Metals tend to be electro-positive, meaning they like to give away electrons and form positively charged ions. Non-metals like to acquire electrons and form negatively charged ions. So, non-metals tend to be electronegative.

In terms of electronegativity:
Fluorine > Oxygen > Nitrogen

Here are your atoms in order of increasing electronegativity
Mg < Al < P < Cl

This is because electronegativity increases as you move to the right.