Where are the least electronegative elements located on the periodic table?

Where are the least electronegative elements located on the periodic table?

• A. At the bottom
• B. In the middle
• C. At the left beginning of each period
• D. At the end of each period

Answer: (C)

The least electronegative elements on the periodic table are found at the left beginning of each period. This is primarily because electronegativity tends to increase as you move from left to right across a period and decrease as you move down a group. Elements located at the left end, such as alkali metals (like lithium, sodium, and potassium), have low electronegativity values because they have fewer valence electrons and a tendency to lose those electrons easily to form positive ions. This characteristic means that these elements are less effective at attracting electrons compared to those found on the right side of the periodic table, where nonmetals reside and typically exhibit higher electronegativities. Therefore, the left beginning of each period is indeed the location of the least electronegative elements, aligning with the trends in electronegativity across the table.

The least electronegative elements on the periodic table are found at the left beginning of each period. This is primarily because electronegativity tends to increase as you move from left to right across a period and decrease as you move down a group. Elements located at the left end, such as alkali metals (like lithium, sodium, and potassium), have low electronegativity values because they have fewer valence electrons and a tendency to lose those electrons easily to form positive ions.

This characteristic means that these elements are less effective at attracting electrons compared to those found on the right side of the periodic table, where nonmetals reside and typically exhibit higher electronegativities. Therefore, the left beginning of each period is indeed the location of the least electronegative elements, aligning with the trends in electronegativity across the table.