The least electronegative element has the following electronic configuration

Options

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

Answer

To determine which electronic configuration corresponds to the least electronegative element, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Electronegativity**:
- Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself when it is part of a compound. Elements with high electronegativity readily attract electrons, while those with low electronegativity do not.

**Hint**: Recall that electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group in the periodic table.

2. **Identify the Electronic Configurations**:
- The options provided are likely different electronic configurations. For example, you might see configurations like:
- (a) NS²NP⁵
- (b) NS²NP⁶
- (c) NS²
- (d) NS²NP¹

**Hint**: Write down the configurations clearly to analyze them one by one.

3. **Analyze Each Configuration**:
- **NS²NP⁵**: This configuration corresponds to halogens (e.g., Fluorine, Chlorine). Halogens are very electronegative because they need one more electron to complete their octet.
- **NS²NP⁶**: This configuration corresponds to noble gases (e.g., Neon, Argon). Noble gases have a complete octet and do not tend to attract electrons, making them the least electronegative.
- **NS²**: This configuration corresponds to alkaline earth metals (e.g., Beryllium, Magnesium), which have low electronegativity but are not the least.
- **NS²NP¹**: This configuration corresponds to elements in group 13 (e.g., Aluminum), which also have low electronegativity but are more electronegative than noble gases.

**Hint**: Compare the need for electrons in each configuration to determine their tendency to attract electrons.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the least electronegative element corresponds to the electronic configuration **NS²NP⁶**. This is because noble gases have a complete outer shell and do not attract electrons.

**Final Answer**: The least electronegative element has the electronic configuration **NS²NP⁶**.