Why Does Electronegativity Increase?

Electronegativity increases across a period because the number of charges on the nucleus increases. That attracts the bonding pair of electrons more strongly.

Why does electronegativity increase down a group?

Electronegativity is the measure of the ability of an atom in a bond to attract electrons to itself. Electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group. ... The increased distance and the increased shielding weaken the nuclear attraction, and so an atom can't attract electrons as strongly.

Why does electronegativity increase across a period?

Across a period from left to right the electronegativity of atoms increases. As you move from left to right across the periodic table, atoms have a greater nuclear charge and a smaller covalent radius. This allows the nucleus to attract the bonding electrons more strongly.