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Which of the following arrangements is in correct order of increasing electronegativity (Pauling scale)?

AF < O < N < C
BN < C < O < F
CC < N < O < F
DO < F < N < C
Answer & 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).
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