The electronegativity of carbon is 2.5 on the Pauling scale. This value indicates how strongly carbon attracts electrons in a chemical bond.
Electronegativity is a key concept in chemistry, as it helps predict how atoms will interact with one another. Carbon, being a nonmetal, has a moderate electronegativity compared to other elements. It is often involved in the formation of covalent bonds and tends to share electrons rather than completely transferring them, which is typical of metals with higher electronegativity.
In biological molecules, such as carbohydrates and proteins, carbon’s moderate electronegativity allows it to form stable bonds with other elements like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. This makes carbon a fundamental building block of life and allows for the diversity of organic compounds.