How does electronegativity work?

1 Answer
Sandra G.
Jan 5, 2016

I think of electronegativity as an atom's ability to "hog" electrons within a bond.

Explanation:

Remember that electrons are ALWAYS moving, even if they are in a bond.

If an atom has a higher electronegativity than whatever it is bonded to, then it will hog the electrons in that bond more strongly. This creates a slightly negative charge because the electrons will spend most of their time around the more electronegative atom.

Related questions
See all questions in Electronegativity and Shielding
Impact of this question
2529 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License