What is the electronegativity of hydrogen generally considered to be?

Prepare for the Texas Aandamp;M University CHEM107 Exam 2. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Maximize your chemistry knowledge and ensure exam success!

The electronegativity of hydrogen is generally considered to be an average between the alkali metals and the halogens, which places it close to the average of the far left and far right elements. This relative position of hydrogen reflects its unique behavior in chemical bonding; while it is placed in Group 1 of the periodic table due to having one electron in its outer shell, it also behaves similarly to halogens in some compounds. Hydrogen's electronegativity is not specifically equal to that of helium, which is a noble gas and does not typically participate in bonding, nor is it constant as it can vary slightly depending on the context of the surrounding elements. Therefore, considering the chemical nature of hydrogen and its placement on the periodic table, the average characteristic between the extremes of alkali metals and halogens is a reasonable description of its electronegativity.

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