Electronegativity

Definition

A measure of how strongly an atom pulls shared electrons toward itself, set by its nuclear charge and compact atomic radius.

Non-metals have high electronegativity and resist giving up electrons entirely, which is why they share rather than transfer. When two bonded atoms differ in electronegativity, the more electronegative atom holds the shared electrons closer and creates a polar bond. Oxygen’s high electronegativity relative to hydrogen is what gives water its permanent charge imbalance.

Related concepts

Polar molecule · Covalent bond · Polar covalent bond

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry