Elements

Electronegativity

aluminum (Al) 1.61
calcium (Ca) 1
carbon (C) 2.55
chlorine (Cl) 3.16
fluorine (F) 4
hydrogen (H) 2.2
iron (Fe) 1.83
nitrogen (N) 3.04
oxygen (O) 3.44
phosphorus (P) 2.19
potassium (K) 0.82
silicon (Si) 1.9
sulfur (S) 2.58
Use the chart to determine which pair of atoms has the greatest polarity.

A.
Al – Si
B.
S – Cl
C.
N – H
D.
C – N

1 answer

To determine which pair of atoms has the greatest polarity, we need to calculate the difference in electronegativity between each pair of atoms.

  1. A. Al – Si:

    • Al (1.61) - Si (1.9) = |1.61 - 1.9| = 0.29
  2. B. S - Cl:

    • S (2.58) - Cl (3.16) = |2.58 - 3.16| = 0.58
  3. C. N - H:

    • N (3.04) - H (2.2) = |3.04 - 2.2| = 0.84
  4. D. C - N:

    • C (2.55) - N (3.04) = |2.55 - 3.04| = 0.49

Now we compare the absolute differences:

  • Al - Si: 0.29
  • S - Cl: 0.58
  • N - H: 0.84
  • C - N: 0.49

The pair with the greatest difference in electronegativity is N – H (0.84).

Thus, the answer is C. N – H.