Chlorine (atomic number 17) is more electronegative than sulphur (atomic number 16). Explain.

Explanation

Chlorine (Z = 17) is placed after sulphur (Z = 16) in the same period i.e. third period. The size of chlorine is smaller than that of sulphur and its atom needs only one electron to have noble gas electronic configuration while sulphur atom needs two electrons. Therefore, chlorine has greater attraction for electrons than sulphur. It is more electronegative than sulphur.