MCQEasyJEE 2026Electron Gain Enthalpy & Electronegativity

JEE Chemistry 2026 Question with Solution

Elements X and Y belong to Group 1515. The difference between the electronegativity values of 'X' and phosphorus is higher than that of the difference between phosphorus and 'Y'. 'X' & 'Y' are respectively

  • A

    As & Bi

  • B

    Bi & N

  • C

    As & Sb

  • D

    N & As

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: X and Y are Group 1515 elements, and we need

EN(X)EN(P)>EN(P)EN(Y)|EN(X) - EN(P)| > |EN(P) - EN(Y)|

Find: The correct pair X and Y.

Group 1515 elements are N, P, As, Sb, Bi. Electronegativity decreases down the group.

The largest change in electronegativity in this group occurs between the first two members, N and P, while the change further down the group is smaller.

Testing option D: X = N and Y = As.

Then,

EN(N)EN(P)|EN(N) - EN(P)|

is the difference between a 2nd period and 3rd period element, which is relatively large.

And,

EN(P)EN(As)|EN(P) - EN(As)|

is the difference between a 3rd period and 4th period element, which is smaller.

Since

EN(N)>EN(P)>EN(As)EN(N) > EN(P) > EN(As)

the condition

EN(N)EN(P)>EN(P)EN(As)|EN(N) - EN(P)| > |EN(P) - EN(As)|

holds true.

Therefore, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming electronegativity decreases by the same amount down the entire group is incorrect. The drop from N to P is larger than the drop between lower consecutive members. Compare relative changes, not just the direction of trend.

  • Ignoring the absolute value signs is a mistake. The question asks for the magnitude of the difference in electronegativity, so compare EN(X)EN(P)|EN(X)-EN(P)| and EN(P)EN(Y)|EN(P)-EN(Y)|, not signed values.

  • Choosing elements below phosphorus for both X and Y is incorrect because then the larger difference with phosphorus is less likely. Check which element gives the maximum separation from phosphorus within Group 1515.

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