[jonjon1324]

Okay, I'm reading in my book about how as electronegativity increases across a group, so does the acidity of the nonmetal hydrides...Which makes no sense to me. Isn't an acid stronger if it more easily gives up a proton (H+)? If it's more electronegative, doesn't that mean the nonmetal hydride is holding the hydrogen more strongly, meaning it doesn't as easily give up the proton? I mean electronegativity means "ability of an atom (or, more rarely, a functional group) to attract electrons (or electron density) towards itself," so I guess I must be understanding the definition wrong.

I'm so confused, so please somebody help me understand!

[Borek]

If electrons are attracted to the 'central' atom, is the proton attraction stronger, or weaker? Is the proton easier, or more difficult to remove?