On going from right to left in a period in the periodic table the electronegativity of the elements:

Options

A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Remain unchanged
D. Decreases first then increases

Answer

To solve the question regarding the change in electronegativity of elements as we move from right to left in a period of the periodic table, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Electronegativity**:
- Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. It is influenced by the atomic size and the nuclear charge of the atom.

2. **Identify the Trend in the Periodic Table**:
- In the periodic table, as we move from left to right across a period, the atomic size decreases due to the increasing nuclear charge (more protons in the nucleus). This leads to a stronger attraction between the nucleus and the electrons.

3. **Electronegativity Trend**:
- As the atomic size decreases from left to right, the electronegativity increases. This is because the electrons are held more tightly by the nucleus, making the atom more effective at attracting shared electrons.

4. **Moving from Right to Left**:
- Conversely, when we move from right to left in a period, the atomic size increases. This means that the nucleus is further away from the shared electrons, resulting in a weaker attraction.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, as we go from right to left in a period, the electronegativity of the elements decreases.

### Final Answer:
The electronegativity of the elements decreases when moving from right to left in a period of the periodic table.

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