If the atomic number of an inert gas element is Z, then an element with which of the following atomic numbers will have the highest electronegativity according to Pauling scale? 

Options

A. `Z - 2`
B. `Z - 1`
C. `Z + 1`
D. `Z + 2`

Answer

To determine which element has the highest electronegativity according to the Pauling scale when given the atomic number \( Z \) of an inert gas element, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Inert Gas Element**:
- Inert gases belong to Group 18 of the periodic table. The atomic number \( Z \) represents one of these inert gases (e.g., Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), etc.).

2. **Understand Electronegativity Trends**:
- Electronegativity generally increases across a period (from left to right) and decreases down a group (from top to bottom) in the periodic table.

3. **Locate the Position of the Inert Gas**:
- If the atomic number is \( Z \), the inert gas is located in Group 18. The element with the highest electronegativity is typically found in Group 17 (the halogens) which is directly to the left of the inert gases.

4. **Determine the Atomic Number of the Halogen**:
- The element with the highest electronegativity adjacent to the inert gas will be the halogen in Group 17. If the inert gas has an atomic number \( Z \), the halogen will have an atomic number \( Z - 1 \).

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the element with the atomic number \( Z - 1 \) will have the highest electronegativity according to the Pauling scale.

### Final Answer:
The element with the atomic number \( Z - 1 \) will have the highest electronegativity according to the Pauling scale.

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