CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Chemical bonding
The Pauling electronegativities of the halogens are given.
| element | electronegativity |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | |
| 3.0 | |
| 2.8 | |
| 2.5 |
(a) Suggest why electronegativity decreases from fluorine to iodine.
(b) The electronegativity of fluorine is higher than that of any other element. Suggest why.
(c) The Pauling electronegativity of silicon is 1.8. Use the values to suggest whether the bond between silicon and iodine is ionic or covalent, and justify your answer.
6 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 6 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Suggest means: Apply what you know to an unfamiliar situation. There may be more than one acceptable answer. Reason from the principle you have learned to the new context, and say which principle you are using.
Written by Markquill to follow the Cambridge International syllabus. Markquill is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.