On what scale is electronegativity commonly measured?

Electronegativity is commonly measured on a scale that ranges from 0 to 4, with higher values indicating a greater ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond. This scale was developed by Linus Pauling, and most commonly, the values of electronegativity are used to predict how atoms interact in molecules.

For example, fluorine has the highest electronegativity value at approximately 4.0, signifying its strong tendency to attract electrons compared to other elements. Understanding electronegativity is crucial in predicting the nature of chemical bonds; a significant difference in electronegativity between two bonded atoms can suggest the formation of ionic bonds, while similar values may suggest covalent bonding.

The other scales mentioned do not accurately represent the established range used in chemistry for electronegativity. The scale used is specifically designed to provide significant differentiation among elements based on their electron-attracting abilities.