Electronegativity

noun (uncountable, chiefly chemistry/physics)

/ɪˌlɛktroʊˌnɛɡəˈtɪvɪti/

A measure of the tendency of an atom to attract shared electrons towards itself when forming a chemical bond, with fluorine having the highest value on the Pauling scale.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Just as electronegativity describes an atom's unequal pull on shared electrons, an over-centralised polity exerts a comparable fiscal pull, drawing the bulk of revenue and discretionary authority towards the Union and leaving the States to bond on increasingly unequal terms.

Synonyms

electron-attracting tendencyelectron affinity (loosely)electronegative characterelectron-pulling powerionic pull

Antonyms

electropositivityelectropositive characterelectron-donating tendency

🌱 Word Family

electronegative (adj), electronegativity (n), electropositive (adj), negative (adj), negation (n)

🔡 Root

Greek ēlektron = amber (electro-); Latin negātīvus = denying; -ity = quality; Pauling concept 1932

📜 Etymology

From electro- (Greek ēlektron, "amber") + negativity (from Latin negātīvus, "denying"), formulated as a concept by Linus Pauling in 1932.

🧠 Memory Hook

Break it down: ELECTRO-NEGATIVE atom is "greedy and negative" — it selfishly hogs the negatively-charged electrons. High electronegativity = the atom that "negatively" refuses to share its electrons (think fluorine, the greediest of all).

⚗️ General Science 📖 Seen in: Atomic Structure, Periodic Table & Che...

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