Pauling's Electronegativity Formula:
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Definition: Pauling's Electronegativity is described as "the power of an atom in a molecule to attract electrons to itself".
Purpose: It helps predict the nature of chemical bonds and molecular polarity.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The sum of ionization energy and electron affinity is scaled by 0.672 (0.336/0.5) and then adjusted by subtracting 0.2.
Details: Electronegativity helps predict bond type (ionic vs covalent), bond polarity, and chemical reactivity.
Tips: Enter the ionization energy and electron affinity in electron volts (eV). Both values must be > 0.
Q1: What are typical electronegativity values?
A: Values range from 0.7 (Cs) to 4.0 (F) on the Pauling scale.
Q2: Why use both IE and EA in the calculation?
A: Together they measure an atom's electron-attracting power - IE measures resistance to electron loss, EA measures electron-gaining tendency.
Q3: What units should I use?
A: The formula expects values in electron volts (eV) for both IE and EA.
Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate but experimental values may vary slightly.
Q5: Can I use kJ/mol values?
A: No, you must convert kJ/mol to eV first (1 eV = 96.485 kJ/mol).