Quantum Numbers
Electron affinity is generally highest for which of the following?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Chlorine
- Definition: Electron affinity is the energy change when an electron is added to a neutral gaseous atom. High affinity means energy is released.
- Expected Trend: EA usually increases towards the top-right of the periodic table.
- Exception (Cl vs F): Fluorine is the most electronegative element, but its atom is extremely small. Adding an electron to the compact 2p shell causes significant electron-electron repulsion with the existing 7 electrons.
- Mechanism: Chlorine has a larger 3p shell, which can accommodate an extra electron with much less repulsion.
- Result: Energy released is higher for Chlorine (−349 kJ/mol) than for Fluorine (−328 kJ/mol).
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- atomic structure
- Topic
- quantum numbers
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Chlorine
- Definition: Electron affinity is the energy change when an electron is added to a neutral gaseous atom. High affinity means energy is released.
- Expected Trend: EA usually increases towards the top-right of the periodic table.
- Exception (Cl vs F): Fluorine is the most electronegative element, but its atom is extremely small. Adding an electron to the compact 2p shell causes significant electron-electron repulsion with the existing 7 electrons.
- Mechanism: Chlorine has a larger 3p shell, which can accommodate an extra electron with much less repulsion.
- Result: Energy released is higher for Chlorine (−349 kJ/mol) than for Fluorine (−328 kJ/mol).
This hard difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter atomic structure, covering the topic of quantum numbers. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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