Question

why phosphorus, sulphur and chlorine are electronegative elements of the periodic table

Answer 1

The elements whose atoms have the tendency to gain electrons are called electronegative elements and this tendency is known as electronegativity. Electronegativity of any element depends on its size. As the size decreases , the tendency to gain electron increases and in turn increases the electronegativity.
For group-17 elements (F, Cl , Br etc) they are smallest in size in their respective periods. F has the smallest size in period 2 elements.
So it the most electronegative element of the period as well as group because other halogens are larger in size than F.
Similarly P , S and Cl also have tendency to gain electrons due to smaller size as compared to elements in far left of same period of periodic table.
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Answer 2

Electronegativity : the capability of an element to attract electrons towards itself during a chemical reaction is called electronegativity

the electronegative elements have a tendency to gain electrons and hence they are anions.

chlorine Phosphorus and sulphur are electronegative because they have a tendency to gain electrons from other elements during a chemical reaction.

the highest electronegative element is fluorine. which has electronegative value of 4 on pauling scale.

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