Use the table to answer the question.

Question

Element 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)
Responses

phosphorus and bromine

oxygen and phosphorus

nitrogen and oxygen

bromine and nitrogen

Answer 1

To determine which pair of elements would likely form the least polar bonds, we should look at the electronegativity values provided in the table and calculate the differences between them for each pair.

1. Phosphorus and Bromine:

   • Electronegativity difference = |2.1 - 2.8| = 0.7

2. Oxygen and Phosphorus:

   • Electronegativity difference = |3.5 - 2.1| = 1.4

3. Nitrogen and Oxygen:

   • Electronegativity difference = |3.0 - 3.5| = 0.5

4. Bromine and Nitrogen:

   • Electronegativity difference = |2.8 - 3.0| = 0.2

The pair that has the smallest electronegativity difference will form the least polar bond. The smallest difference is between bromine and nitrogen, which is 0.2.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

bromine and nitrogen.