Question

Explain on the basis of atomic structure why trends in electronegativity are related to trends in atomic size.

Answer 1

Electronegativity is defined as the tendency of an atom to attract a shared paired of electrons. More the tendency of an atom to attract the share pair of electron more will be the attraction between the nucleus and the electron as a result atomic size decreases.

In period as we move from left to right electronegativity increses as a result the electrostatic attraction between the nucleus and shared pair of electton increases as a result size decreses.

On moving down the group electronegativity of an atom decreses as a result the electrostatic force of attraction between the shared pair of electrons and nucleus decreases as a result size increases.

Hence we can say that electronegativity and atomic size are inversely related. More the electronegativity smaller is atomic size or vice versa.