The properties of the elements (atomic/ionic radii, electron gain enthalpy, ionization enthalpy, electronegativity, valence, oxidising/reducing power, acid/base character, etc.) which are directly or indirectly related to their electronic configirations are called periodic properties. These properties show a regular gradation on moving from left to right in a period or form top to bottom in a group. Down a group, the atomic/ionic radii, metallic character and reducing character increase while ionization enthalpy and electronegativity decrease. Along a period from left to right, atomic/ionic and metallic character decrease while ionization enthaloy, electronegativity, non-metallic character and oxiding power increase. However, electron gain enthalpy becomes less negative down a group butmore negative along a period. In contrast, inert gases have positive electron gain enthalpies which do not show may regular trend.
The outermost electronic configuration of the most electronegative elements is:

Options

A. `ns^(2)np^(3)`
B. `ns^(2)np^(4)`
C. `ns^(2)np^(5)`
D. `ns^(2)np^(6)`

Answer

C