Electronegativity is a measure of the ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. It is used to predict and explain the bond type and bond polarity. Electronegativity is a calculated value.

Because electronegativity is used in dealing with bonded atoms, the Noble Gases are not generally assigned electronegativity values. Xenon and krypton do form some compounds and you may see electronegativity values for these Noble Gases. In this section and in the quiz questions the Noble Gases will not be referenced, so you shouldn't consider them in answering questions.

Linus Pauling [local] was among the first to successfully discuss chemical bonding in terms of electronic structure. Pauling developed a quantitative electronegativity scale based upon empirical information.

3-D electronegativities of the elements (Pauling's scale)

Electronegativities rise up and to the right in the periodic table. Fluorine is the most electronegative element, while cesium (francium) has the lowest electronegativity.