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Homework Help: Electronegativity and element identification

  1. Mar 31, 2008 #1
    As part of the exploration of one of the moons of Jupiter, a probe digs under the surface, where it finds a pocket of gas. It starts to do some on-board experimentation. The data stored in the probe's computer include the following table of Mulliken electronegativity values of gases.

    Element Electronegativity,x

    He 1178
    Ne 1030
    Ar 746
    O 728
    N 701
    Kr 659
    Xe 568
    Rn 500

    After doing some analysis, the probe determines that the gas pocket contains an element that has an ionization energy of I=1527 KJ/mol and an electron affinity of EA=33KJ/mol. What is the identity of this element?
    Express your answer using the symbol for the element (e.g., Hg).

    The book I have doesn't offer any help with this problem, if someone could help me i would greatly appreciate it
  2. jcsd
  3. Apr 1, 2008 #2
    This seems very much an homework.
  4. Apr 1, 2008 #3


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    Staff Emeritus
    Science Advisor
    Gold Member

    What are the 3 definitions you may need in order to solve this problem. If they are not in your book, can you find them on the internet?

    PS: Next time round, use the Homework Forums (other sciences) for help with chemistry problems. This thread will be moved there by an Mentor.