How does electronegativity work?

1 Answer
Sandra G.
Jan 5, 2016

I think of electronegativity as an atom's ability to "hog" electrons within a bond.

Explanation:

Remember that electrons are ALWAYS moving, even if they are in a bond.

If an atom has a higher electronegativity than whatever it is bonded to, then it will hog the electrons in that bond more strongly. This creates a slightly negative charge because the electrons will spend most of their time around the more electronegative atom.

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