Arrange `F,Cl,O,N` in the decreasing order of electronegativy

Options

A. `O gt F gt N gt Cl `
B. `F gt N gt Cl gt O `
C. `Cl gt F gt N gt O `
D. `F gt O gt N gt Cl `

Answer

To arrange the elements F (Fluorine), Cl (Chlorine), O (Oxygen), and N (Nitrogen) in decreasing order of electronegativity, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Electronegativity
Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. The higher the electronegativity, the stronger the atom's ability to attract electrons.

### Step 2: Identify the Elements
The elements given are:
- F (Fluorine)
- Cl (Chlorine)
- O (Oxygen)
- N (Nitrogen)

### Step 3: Use the Periodic Trends
Electronegativity generally increases across a period (from left to right) and decreases down a group (from top to bottom) in the periodic table.

- **Fluorine (F)** is in Group 17 (Halogens) and Period 2.
- **Oxygen (O)** is in Group 16 and Period 2.
- **Nitrogen (N)** is in Group 15 and Period 2.
- **Chlorine (Cl)** is in Group 17 and Period 3.

### Step 4: Compare the Electronegativity Values
The commonly accepted electronegativity values (on the Pauling scale) for these elements are:
- Fluorine (F) = 3.98
- Oxygen (O) = 3.44
- Chlorine (Cl) = 3.16
- Nitrogen (N) = 3.04

### Step 5: Arrange in Decreasing Order
Now we can arrange these elements based on their electronegativity values from highest to lowest:
1. Fluorine (F) - 3.98
2. Oxygen (O) - 3.44
3. Chlorine (Cl) - 3.16
4. Nitrogen (N) - 3.04

### Final Order
Thus, the final order of electronegativity from highest to lowest is:
**F > O > Cl > N**