The energy change on adding an electron to a gaseous atom, ion, or molecule
New cards
2
What does it mean when an element has a negative electron affinity?
Less energy is required to add an electron, therefore it is favourable
New cards
3
Why are the electron affinities of the group 1 elements negative?
By adding an electron, the s shell becomes completely filled therefore it is favourable to add an electron
New cards
4
Why do the group 2 elements have positive electron affinities?
Adding an electron results in the filing of a p orbital which is higher in energy, therefore more energy is required to add an electron
New cards
5
Why is it easier to add an electron to an atom across a p-block period?
Due to increasing effective nuclear charge
New cards
6
Why do group 15 elements have a lower electron affinity than those in group 14?
There is significant inter electron repulsion in the p orbital of a group 15 element when adding an electron due to adding it to a half-filled shell, therefore it is more difficult to do so
New cards
7
Why do F and O have lower electron affinity than expected?
Due to their small size, there is more inter electron repulsion
Studied by 0 people
