Which of the following arrangements shows the correct increasing order of Pauling electronegativity?

A $S < N < Cl < O$
B $S < Cl < N < O$
C $N < S < Cl < O$
D $S < N < O < Cl$

Answer: A

Pauling values are S 2.58, N 3.04, Cl 3.16 and O 3.44. Arranging in increasing order gives S, N, Cl, O. The common error is to place nitrogen above chlorine or chlorine above oxygen.

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