Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question evaluates the student's understanding of the periodic trends in electronegativity and the underlying reasons for these trends.

Key Concept Explanation
Electronegativity is the relative ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. As you move down a group in the periodic table, the atomic radius increases, and the outer electrons are farther from the nucleus. This increase in atomic radius reduces the effective nuclear charge experienced by the outer electrons, leading to a decrease in electronegativity.

Step-by-step Solution
1. Identify the trend: Electronegativity decreases as you move down a group.
2. Understand the reason: The atomic radius increases, and the outer electrons are farther from the nucleus.
3. Explain the effect: The increased atomic radius reduces the effective nuclear charge on the outer electrons, making it harder for the...