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

nitrogen and oxygen
nitrogen and oxygen

oxygen and phosphorus
oxygen and phosphorus

phosphorus and bromine
phosphorus and bromine

bromine and nitrogen

Answer 1

To determine which pair of elements would likely form the least polar bonds, we can look at the difference in electronegativity values between the pairs of elements. A smaller difference in electronegativity typically indicates a less polar bond.

Here's the difference in electronegativity for each pair:

1. Nitrogen and Oxygen:
   \(|3.5 - 3.0| = 0.5\) (moderately polar)

2. Oxygen and Phosphorus:
   \(|3.5 - 2.1| = 1.4\) (more polar)

3. Phosphorus and Bromine:
   \(|2.8 - 2.1| = 0.7\) (moderately polar)

4. Bromine and Nitrogen:
   \(|2.8 - 3.0| = 0.2\) (least polar)

Based on these calculations, the pair with the smallest difference in electronegativity—and thus the least polar bonds—is bromine and nitrogen.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

bromine and nitrogen.