Question

Which pair of atoms has the highest electronegativity difference?
A.
H – S
B.
H – Cl
C.
N – H
D.
O – H
E.
C – H

Answer 1

To determine which pair of atoms has the highest electronegativity difference, we can compare the electronegativity values of each element based on the Pauling scale:

- Hydrogen (H): 2.1
- Sulfur (S): 2.5
- Chlorine (Cl): 3.0
- Nitrogen (N): 3.0
- Oxygen (O): 3.5
- Carbon (C): 2.5

Now let's calculate the electronegativity differences for each pair:

A. H – S: |2.1 - 2.5| = 0.4
B. H – Cl: |2.1 - 3.0| = 0.9
C. N – H: |3.0 - 2.1| = 0.9
D. O – H: |3.5 - 2.1| = 1.4
E. C – H: |2.5 - 2.1| = 0.4

Comparing all the calculated differences, we find that the pair with the highest electronegativity difference is:

**D. O – H (1.4)**.