Element

Question

Electronegativity
bromine
2.8
oxygen
3.5
nitrogen
3.0
phosphorus
2.1
Based on the information in the table, which pair of elements would likely form the least polar bonds with each other?
(1 point)
• oxygen and phosphorus
• nitrogen and oxygen
• bromine and nitrogen
phosphorus and bromine

Answer 1

To determine which pair of elements would likely form the least polar bonds, we need to consider the difference in electronegativity between each pair of elements. The greater the difference in electronegativity, the more polar the bond.

Here are the electronegativity values:

• Bromine: 2.8
• Oxygen: 3.5
• Nitrogen: 3.0
• Phosphorus: 2.1

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

1. Oxygen (3.5) - Phosphorus (2.1) = 1.4
2. Nitrogen (3.0) - Oxygen (3.5) = 0.5
3. Bromine (2.8) - Nitrogen (3.0) = 0.2
4. Phosphorus (2.1) - Bromine (2.8) = 0.7

Now let's summarize the electronegativity differences:

• Oxygen and Phosphorus: 1.4 (more polar)
• Nitrogen and Oxygen: 0.5 (less polar)
• Bromine and Nitrogen: 0.2 (least polar)
• Phosphorus and Bromine: 0.7 (less polar)

The pair that forms the least polar bond is bromine and nitrogen with the difference of 0.2.

So, the answer is: bromine and nitrogen.