Which element has the highest electronegativity on the periodic table?

Fluorine is recognized as the most electronegative element on the periodic table, which means it has a strong ability to attract electrons when forming chemical bonds. Electronegativity is a measure of how effectively an atom can attract and hold onto electrons, a property that plays a significant role in the formation of covalent bonds. Fluorine's high electronegativity is attributed to its small atomic size and high effective nuclear charge, which enhance its ability to pull electrons closer.

In contrast, elements like oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine, while also electronegative, have lower values than fluorine. Oxygen is known for its high electronegativity, but it is not as strong as fluorine. Nitrogen follows with an even lower electronegativity value. Chlorine, while being quite electronegative, ranks below fluorine as well, making it less effective in attracting electrons compared to fluorine. Therefore, fluorine's unique position in the periodic table, being at the top right, endows it with the highest electronegativity of all elements.