Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

Which element's property is mostly associated with its electronegativity?

1. Atomic size

2. Ionic radius

3. Ionization energy

4. Covalent radius

The correct answer is: Ionization energy

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when it is part of a compound. Among the options, ionization energy is closely related to electronegativity because both concepts are influenced by an element's ability to attract and hold electrons. As electronegativity increases, so typically does ionization energy. This is because elements that have a strong attraction for electrons tend to also require more energy to remove an electron from their outer shell. This relationship indicates that an element with high electronegativity is likely to have a higher ionization energy since it holds onto its electrons more tightly. In contrast, atomic size, ionic radius, and covalent radius reflect different aspects of an atom's structure. While they are important for understanding general trends in the periodic table, they do not directly indicate how effectively an atom can attract electrons in a chemical bond. Therefore, ionization energy serves as a more relevant factor when examining the property of electronegativity.