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Students of general chemistry should understand that the concept of electronegativity (EN) is valuable as a tool for explaining many of the trends seen in chemistry, but that it has its limitations. EN difference is shown to be an improper function for separating ionic from covalent bonding. Pauling defined electronegativity as the power of an atom to attract electrons in a molecule. Metallic bonding can be included whenever electronegativity values and bonding characteristics are compared, and it should be included.

The study presents and explains the various periodicity symbols, tables and models for the higher-order valency and donor-acceptor kinships used in chemistry. The described alternative tables are expected to improve the pedagogical consistency of the chemical periodicity patterns with better electronic behavior.