Which of the following arrangements is in correct order of increasing electronegativity (Pauling scale)?
- F < O < N < C
- N < C < O < F
- C < N < O < F
- O < F < N < C
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: C. C < N < O < F
Electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group. The Pauling-scale values for period 2 nonmetals:
- C: 2.55
- N: 3.04
- O: 3.44
- F: 3.98 (highest of any element)
So the correct ascending order is **C < N < O < F**.
Option A reverses everything. Option C breaks the trend by putting F before O.
Memory aid: "FONClBrISCHP" is the electronegativity ladder from highest to lowest among common nonmetals (F first, P last among this set).