Question

How do you calculate the electronegativity of a compound?

Answer 1

Electronegativity is a parameter used to describe atomic properties. A molecule may contain electronegative atoms, but we do not speak of its electronegativity.

Explanation:

Electronegativity is conceived to be the ability of atom in a molecule to polarize electron density towards itself. I write "conceived" because there is nothing fundamental about electronegativity, and its measurement depends on various `ad` `hoc` scales, of which the Pauling scale is the most famous and still widely used.

It makes sense that the most electronegative atoms, `F`, and `O`, are the ones that are right-most in the Periodic Table. For a given Period as `Z`, the atomic number, increases, effective nuclear charge increases and the valence electrons are held more tightly as more protons are added to the atomic nucleus; this is manifested in the marked decrease in atomic radii across a Period. See this wiki link .