Inductive effect of which atom or group is taken as zero to compare with inductive effect of other atoms?
a.) Hydrogen
b.) Chlorine
c.) Carbon
d.) Oxygen

Hint: To answer the correct option, we should first discuss the inductive effect. We should know that the answer to this question is the most abundant element in the universe.


Complete step by step solution:
Let us first know about inductive effects. We should know that inductive Effect refers is the phenomenon wherein a permanent dipole arises in a given molecule due to the unequal sharing of the bonding electrons in the molecule. This effect can arise in sigma bonds. We should know that, by the action of electron-releasing or an electron-withdrawing species in a carbon chain, the positive and negative charge arises on the carbon chain.
Let us know about +I effect. We should know that these groups have electron-releasing characteristics. Example of this effect is alkyl group.
-I effect arises when there is an electronegative atom attached to the carbon chain and it starts to withdraw electrons. Its example is a halogen.
To measure the relative inductive effect between chemical species, we should use one reference. That reference atom is of hydrogen.

So, from this we can say that the correct option is A. Hydrogen is the correct answer.


Note: We should know the importance of inductive effect. We use inductive effects to predict acidity and basicity. It should be noted that the electron withdrawing groups (EWG) increase the acidity of a compound and electron donating groups decrease the acidity of a compound.
We should note that the inductive effect can be used to determine the stability of a molecule depending on the charge present on the atom and the groups bonded to the atom.