<p>Are halogens more electronegatice than every other element? Why would chlorine be more electronegative than carbon(Isn't carbon above chlorine on the periodict table? Doesn't electronegativity increase as you go up from left to right? Help?!</p>
<p>Yep, you’re right. Electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group. :)</p>
<p>Then why in the world is chlorine more electronegative than carbon? Someone plz explain.</p>
<p>bump need help really quickly</p>
<p>Then why in the world is chlorine more electronegative than carbon? Someone plz explain.</p>
<p>When talking about electronegativity, it can all be explained using these two terms: nuclear charge, and shielding effect.</p>
<p>Yes, Chlorine’s shielding effect is higher than Fluorine’s (more occupied energy levels), which is the reason why Chlorine’s electronegativity is lower than Fluorine’s. However, it’s nuclear charge (+17) is also higher than its Group 14 counterpart, Silicon (+14).</p>
<p>It just so happens that Chlorine’s larger nuclear charge surpasses its greater shielding effect in comparison to Carbon. Thus, Chlorine is more electronegative.</p>
<p>thx 10 char</p>