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Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a property of an atom that indicates its ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

Definitions:

1. Chemistry: Electronegativity refers to the relative attraction an atom has for electrons when it forms a chemical bond in a molecule.

Senses and Usages:

Senses:

1. General: Electronegativity is a fundamental concept in chemistry used to predict bond polarity and the behavior of chemical compounds.
2. Physics: In physics, electronegativity is utilized to understand the behavior of electric charges and their interactions.

Usages:

1. Bonding: Understanding electronegativity enables scientists to determine the type of bond formed between atoms, such as ionic, covalent, or polar covalent.
2. Chemical Reactions: Electronegativity plays a crucial role in predicting the direction and extent of chemical reactions.
3. Molecular Structure: The concept of electronegativity assists in deducing the shape and polarity of molecules.
4. Periodic Trends: The electronegativity of elements varies across the periodic table, following specific trends and patterns.

Sample Sentences:

1. The electronegativity of chlorine is higher than that of hydrogen, resulting in the formation of a polar covalent bond in hydrogen chloride (HCl).
2. Electronegativity is commonly denoted by the Pauling scale, which assigns values to elements based on their relative electron-attracting abilities.
3. Electronegativity affects the solubility of substances in water due to the polarity of the molecules.

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