Pauling Electronegativity

Pauling electronegativity is a scale that measures how strongly an atom attracts shared electrons when forming a chemical bond. Developed by Linus Pauling, it helps compare how different elements "pull" electrons toward themselves. Higher values indicate a stronger attraction, meaning the atom tends to hold electrons more tightly. For instance, fluorine has a high electronegativity, so it strongly attracts electrons, while elements like cesium have low values, meaning they don't pull electrons as effectively. This concept is useful in predicting how atoms will interact and bond in molecules, influencing their chemical properties.