Chemistry Regents Practice Test

What is indicated by the electronegativity values of elements?

1. The size of the atom

2. The reactivity of a metal

3. The tendency of an atom to attract electrons

4. The total number of protons in the nucleus

The correct answer is: The tendency of an atom to attract electrons

Electronegativity values of elements are a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when it is involved in a chemical bond. A higher electronegativity value indicates a stronger ability to attract electrons, reflecting how likely an atom is to pull shared electrons towards itself. This property influences various aspects of chemical behavior, such as bond polarity and the type of ions formed during reactions. The other options touch on different atomic or chemical characteristics but do not capture the essence of electronegativity. For instance, the size of an atom influences its electronegativity but does not define it. Reactivity of a metal can be related to electronegativity but is not solely determined by it. Likewise, the total number of protons in the nucleus relates to atomic number and identity, not electronegativity. Thus, understanding electronegativity is critical for predicting how different elements will interact in chemical processes.