Correct order of Electronegativity: F,O,N,C?

1. Correct order of Electronegativity: F, O, N, C? +

Correct Answer

F > O > N > C

Detailed Explanation

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom in a chemical bond to attract the shared electron pair towards itself. Across a period, electronegativity generally increases from left to right because effective nuclear charge increases while atomic size decreases. All four elements belong to the 2nd period:

Li   Be   B   C   N   O   F   Ne

Therefore, moving from carbon to fluorine:

C < N < O < F

Hence, the decreasing order is:

F > O > N > C

Electronegativity Values

On the Pauling scale, approximate values are:

C = 2.5    N = 3.0    O = 3.5    F = 4.0

Thus:

F > O > N > C

Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table.

JEE / NEET Shortcut

Remember the general periodic trend:

Electronegativity ↑ → across a period
Electronegativity ↓ → down a group

Therefore, for elements in the same period: Further to the right = generally more electronegative.

C < N < O < F

Important Concept

Do not confuse electronegativity with electron gain enthalpy. Fluorine has the highest electronegativity:

F > O > N > C

However, chlorine has a more negative electron gain enthalpy than fluorine because the incoming electron experiences greater electron–electron repulsion in fluorine's compact 2p orbital.

30 Related MCQs with Solutions

1. Which is the most electronegative element?

A. O

B. N

C. F

D. Cl

Answer: C. F

2. Correct decreasing order of electronegativity is:

A. C > N > O > F

B. F > O > N > C

C. N > O > F > C

D. O > F > N > C

Answer: B. F > O > N > C

3. Which element has the highest electronegativity in Period 2?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: D. F

4. Electronegativity generally increases:

A. Down a group

B. From left to right across a period

C. From right to left

D. With atomic radius

Answer: B

5. Which has the lowest electronegativity among C, N, O and F?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: A. C

6. Electronegativity depends strongly on:

A. Atomic size

B. Effective nuclear charge

C. Both A and B

D. Neither

Answer: C

7. Which has the smallest atomic radius among C, N, O and F?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: D. F

8. The Pauling electronegativity of F is approximately:

A. 2.0

B. 2.5

C. 3.0

D. 4.0

Answer: D. 4.0

9. Approximate electronegativity of carbon on the Pauling scale is:

A. 1.0

B. 2.5

C. 3.5

D. 4.0

Answer: B. 2.5

10. Which has greater electronegativity?

A. N

B. O

C. C

D. B

Answer: B. O

11. Which element is more electronegative than oxygen?

A. C

B. N

C. F

D. B

Answer: C. F

12. Which factor generally increases electronegativity?

A. Larger atomic radius

B. Smaller effective nuclear charge

C. Smaller atomic radius

D. Greater shielding only

Answer: C

13. Which order represents increasing electronegativity?

A. F < O < N < C

B. C < N < O < F

C. N < C < O < F

D. O < C < N < F

Answer: B. C < N < O < F

14. Which element attracts bonding electrons most strongly?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: D. F

15. Across Period 2, effective nuclear charge generally:

A. Decreases

B. Increases

C. Remains zero

D. Becomes negative

Answer: B

16. Which element has the highest tendency to attract a shared electron pair?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: D. F

17. Electronegativity is a property of:

A. An isolated atom only

B. An atom in a chemical bond

C. Only ions

D. Only metals

Answer: B

18. Which element among C, N, O and F is the strongest non-metal?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: D. F

19. Higher electronegativity generally means:

A. Weaker attraction for shared electrons

B. Stronger attraction for shared electrons

C. Easier loss of electrons

D. Metallic character increases

Answer: B

20. Which is more electronegative, C or N?

A. C

B. N

C. Equal

D. Cannot determine

Answer: B. N

21. Which is more electronegative, N or O?

A. N

B. O

C. Equal

D. Both zero

Answer: B. O

22. Which is more electronegative, O or F?

A. O

B. F

C. Equal

D. N

Answer: B. F

23. Electronegativity generally decreases with:

A. Decrease in atomic size

B. Increase in atomic size

C. Increase in effective nuclear charge

D. Increase in nuclear attraction

Answer: B

24. Which element is closest to the top-right region of the periodic table among these?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: D. F

25. Which order is correct according to Pauling electronegativity?

A. C > N > O > F

B. F > O > N > C

C. O > N > C > F

D. N > F > O > C

Answer: B

26. Which element has the strongest attraction for bonding electrons?

A. Carbon

B. Nitrogen

C. Oxygen

D. Fluorine

Answer: D

27. Which element has the lowest electronegativity among the four?

A. F

B. O

C. N

D. C

Answer: D. C

28. The general periodic trend of electronegativity is:

A. Increases down and decreases across

B. Decreases down and increases across

C. Increases in all directions

D. Remains constant

Answer: B

29. Which sequence represents increasing non-metallic character?

A. F < O < N < C

B. C < N < O < F

C. O < F < C < N

D. N < C < F < O

Answer: B

30. The correct answer to the original question is:

A. C > N > O > F

B. F > O > N > C

C. N > C > O > F

D. O > F > N > C

Answer: B. F > O > N > C

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