Which of the following elements has the largest (most exothermic) electron affinity?
a. O
b. N
c. Cl
d. F
e. Na
2006-12-14 02:05:10 · 7 answers · asked by bosox1989 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Hi, again!
Let's define "electron affinity"...
Electron affinity is the amount of energy needed to at an electron (or two or three) to an atom or ion.
Na is the only metal among all the options, and we know most of the time (if not all the time) Na acts as a cation. Therefore, it is more likely to lose an electron than to gain electrons compared to anions.
O, N, Cl, and F are non-metals and are very likely to ionize into anions (ions with a negative charge). How do they they do that? They gain electron(s). Now, which one of them is the more likely one to gain electrons?
Usually electron affinity increases as it moves from the bottom to the top and from the left to right of the periodic table. However, that cannot always help predict an atom's electron affinity. According to that general guideline, you would think F would have the largest electron affinity. However, that's not true. Yes, I know it's confusing. Actually Cl is.
The source link can take you to a site where they graphed the electron affinity of many common element.
Your answer: c. Cl
Good luck ^_^ I hope that helps and didn't confuse you too much.
2006-12-14 13:33:10 · answer #1 · answered by Cinna B 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Electron Affinity
2016-10-30 11:48:53 · answer #2 · answered by hempel 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The electron affinity is a measure of the energy change when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form a negative ion. For example, when a neutral chlorine atom in the gaseous form picks up an electron to form a Cl- ion, it releases an energy of 349 kJ/mol or 3.6 eV/atom. It is said to have an electron affinity of -349 kJ/mol and this large number indicates that it forms a stable negative ion.
2016-05-24 02:20:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that F has the largest. Because it is the strongest non - metal elements. And one of the characteristics of non - metal elements is electron affinity
2006-12-14 02:42:53 · answer #4 · answered by James Chan 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Na. It's the only Group 1 metal on the list.
2006-12-14 02:08:02 · answer #5 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cl has most negative electron gain enthalpy as....
it can acquire noble gas configuration by accepting just 1 electron
2006-12-14 02:15:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the ans is sodium because the 1A group elements have highest EA.they can loose electrons easily but cant accept.
2006-12-14 02:22:20 · answer #7 · answered by srikanth k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋