the electron affinity of atoms is also periodic. The electron affinity of an ato

Question

the electron affinity of atoms is also periodic. The electron affinity of an atom is the energy that is lost or gained when an electron is added to a neutral atom of the element in a gaseous state. A more negative electron affinity is considered a higher electron affinity value. It tends to become more negative going from left to right across a row in the table and less negative going down a column. Electron affinities are not as smoothly periodic as some of the other properties, with some major exceptions opposing the general trends. For example, the group 2 and group 18 elements have positive electron affinities, and each of the row 2 elements B through F are less negative than the elements just below them in the column. In general, however, electron affinities tend to be more negative as you move toward the upper right-hand corner of the periodic table.

Which element has the highest (most negative) electron affinity?

Xe

F

Cs

Be

Co

Explanation / Answer

from the given elements

Cs and Be are situated at the extreme left of the perioidc table

Co is in the middle of the periodic table

Xe and F are the extreme right of the perioidc table

we know that

electron affinity increases across a row

so

elements at the extreme right of the periodic table have highest electroon affinity

so

one of Xe and F should have highest electron affiniity

so

consider Xe and F

Now

electron affinity decreases as we go along the column

also

Xe is a noble gas ,

so it should have very less electron affinity

SO

F should have the highest electron affinity

So

the answer is F

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