If the inductive effect operates purely through electronegativity differences, how come the methyl group is considered to donate electrons through the inductive effect? My textbook says that there is negligible electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen, and definitely none between two carbon atoms, then how come CH3 shows the +I effect?
Reading other similar questions on CSE, (Why is the methyl group electron-donating via the inductive effect?) the answers seem to say that hyperconjugation is the reason for the inductive effect, which I cannot grasp at all.
As far as I've read, hyperconjugation does not depend on electronegativity at all, then how come both the effects are related in any way?
Coming back to the question, why exactly is CH3 a +I group?
