Question:medium

Explain the trends in the following properties of group 17 elements : Electronegativity

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Electronegativity is inversely proportional to atomic size. Smaller atoms have higher electronegativity.
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons in a chemical bond.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Electronegativity is inversely proportional to atomic size.
As we move down Group 17, the atomic radius increases.
As the size increases, the distance between the nucleus and the shared pair of electrons increases.
This leads to a weaker electrostatic attraction for the shared electrons.
Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table (value of 4.0), and the value decreases significantly as we reach Iodine.
Step 4: Final Answer: Electronegativity decreases down the group as atomic size increases.
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