Pauling

Definition

Pauling refers to Linus Pauling, a renowned chemist who developed the concept of electronegativity. His scale quantifies the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a covalent bond.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Linus Pauling introduced the concept of electronegativity in 1932.
2. The Pauling Electronegativity Scale ranges from around 0.7 for cesium to about 4.0 for fluorine.
3. Electronegativity differences between atoms help predict bond types: nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, or ionic.
4. Pauling won two unshared Nobel Prizes: one in Chemistry (1954) and one Peace Prize (1962).
5. Pauling's work on electronegativity was crucial in understanding molecular geometry and bonding.

Related terms

Electronegativity:

A measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons within a chemical bond.

Covalent Bond:

A type of chemical bond where two atoms share one or more pairs of valence electrons.

Molecular Geometry:

The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule, influenced by factors such as bond angles and lengths.