Question

Why s-character is directly proportional to electronegativity?

Answer 1

Hybrid orbitals having more s character are more electronegative because s orbital is nearer to the nucleus and hence more attracted by the nucleus. ... Hence attraction of electron in a bond towards the nucleus decreases in the order sp>sp2>sp3. Hence electronegativity decreases in above order.

Answer 2

Explanation:

More is the s-character present in a hybrid orbital of an element, more will be the electronegativity of that element.

This is because s-orbitals have greater penetrativity and it experiences a greater effective nuclear change as they are closer to the nucleus of an atom.

Whereas p-orbitals being away from the nucleus of an atom are not able to shield out the effect of s-orbitals.

As a result, electronegativity increases due to increase in electron density in an s-orbital.