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Why the electron affinity of fluorine is less than that of chlorine?
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∙ 6y ago
Generally electron affinity goes up as you go from left to right across the Periodic Table, and decreases as you go down a column. However, fluorine is an exception -- and the element with the highest electron affinity is chlorine (note that the most electronegative element is fluorine however).
The reason that the electron affinity is not as high as might otherwise be predicted for fluorine is that it is an extremely small atom, and so it's electron density is very high. Adding an additional electron is therefore not quite as favorable as for an element like chlorine where the electron density is slightly lower (due to electron-electron repulsion between the added electron and the other electrons in the electron cloud).
Note that there are a number of other exceptions to the general rule of electron affinity increasing towards the upper right corner -- see the Related Questions links to the left for an explanation of some of those other exceptions.
See also the Web Links to the left for more information about electron affinities and the fluorine-chlorine exception.
Royce Homenick
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Does Iodine have less electron affinity than fluorine?
Yes. It's true. Chlorine has the highest electron affinity, then Fluorine, Bromine and Iodine
What elements has the largest electron affinity?
AnswerElectron affinity is the energy released when we add an electron to the outermost orbit of the atom. Halogens are the higher in electron affinity, and chlorine has the higher electron affinity than rest of the halogens. The irregularity in the electron affinity trend between Cl and F is due to the small size of the F atom. Although F definitely has a higher attraction for an electron than Cl (as evidenced by its high electro negativity value), the small size of the F atom means that adding an electron creates significant repulsion. Since electron affinity is an energy measurement, the total energy associated with electron affinity winds up being the energy that is released by the electron binding to the nucleus, minus the energy involved in overcoming the electrical repulsion in the outer shell.This makes the fluoride anion so formed unstable due to a very high charge/mass ratio. Also, fluorine has no d electrons which limits its atomic size. As a result, fluorine has an electron affinity less than that of chlorine.
Why EA of fluorine is less than chlorine?
Generally electron affinity goes up as you go from left to right across the periodic table, and decreases as you go down a column. However, fluorine is an exception -- and the element with the highest electron affinity is chlorine (note that the most electronegative element is fluorine however).The reason that the electron affinity is not as high as might otherwise be predicted for fluorine is that it is an extremely small atom, and so it's electron density is very high. Adding an additional electron is therefore not quite as favorable as for an element like chlorine where the electron density is slightly lower (due to electron-electron repulsion between the added electron and the other electrons in the electron cloud).Note that there are a number of other exceptions to the general rule of electron affinity increasing towards the upper right corner -- see the Related Questions links to the left for an explanation of some of those other exceptions.See also the Web Links to the left for more information about electron affinities and the fluorine-chlorine exception.
Why is the electron affinity of Mg lower than the electron affinity of K?
Generally, electron affinity increases (becomes less negative) in groups/families moving from top to bottom.
Why electron affinity of dinegative ion is endothermic?
Di-Negative atoms are already electron rich in nature. This causes electron affinity is less. Since energy is needed to introduce another electron into the atom the process is endothermic.
Does Iodine have less electron affinity than fluorine?
Yes. It's true. Chlorine has the highest electron affinity, then Fluorine, Bromine and Iodine
What elements has the largest electron affinity?
AnswerElectron affinity is the energy released when we add an electron to the outermost orbit of the atom. Halogens are the higher in electron affinity, and chlorine has the higher electron affinity than rest of the halogens. The irregularity in the electron affinity trend between Cl and F is due to the small size of the F atom. Although F definitely has a higher attraction for an electron than Cl (as evidenced by its high electro negativity value), the small size of the F atom means that adding an electron creates significant repulsion. Since electron affinity is an energy measurement, the total energy associated with electron affinity winds up being the energy that is released by the electron binding to the nucleus, minus the energy involved in overcoming the electrical repulsion in the outer shell.This makes the fluoride anion so formed unstable due to a very high charge/mass ratio. Also, fluorine has no d electrons which limits its atomic size. As a result, fluorine has an electron affinity less than that of chlorine.
Why EA of fluorine is less than chlorine?
Generally electron affinity goes up as you go from left to right across the periodic table, and decreases as you go down a column. However, fluorine is an exception -- and the element with the highest electron affinity is chlorine (note that the most electronegative element is fluorine however).The reason that the electron affinity is not as high as might otherwise be predicted for fluorine is that it is an extremely small atom, and so it's electron density is very high. Adding an additional electron is therefore not quite as favorable as for an element like chlorine where the electron density is slightly lower (due to electron-electron repulsion between the added electron and the other electrons in the electron cloud).Note that there are a number of other exceptions to the general rule of electron affinity increasing towards the upper right corner -- see the Related Questions links to the left for an explanation of some of those other exceptions.See also the Web Links to the left for more information about electron affinities and the fluorine-chlorine exception.
Which has more electron affinity between cl2 and f2?
The reason that the electron affinity is not as high as might otherwise be predicted for fluorine is that it is an extremely small atom, and so it's electron density is very high. Adding an additional electron is therefore not quite as favorable as for an element like chlorine where the electron density is slightly lower (due to electron-electron repulsion between the added electron and the other electrons in the electron cloud).
Why is the electron affinity of Mg lower than the electron affinity of K?
Generally, electron affinity increases (becomes less negative) in groups/families moving from top to bottom.
Why is the electron affinity for clorine is greater than the electron affinity for iodine?
Generally electron affinity goes up as you go from left to right across the periodic table, and decreases as you go down a column. However, fluorine is an exception -- and the element with the highest electron affinity is chlorine.(Note that the most electronegative element is fluorine however; 'electronegativity' is not exactly the same as 'electron affinity'.)Electronegativity is the ability of an atom in a molecule to draw bonding electrons to itselfElectron affinity is a measure of the energy change when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form a negative ion.The reason that the electron affinity is not as high as might otherwise be predicted for fluorine, is that it is an extremely small atom, and so it's electron density is very high. Adding an additional electron is therefore not quite as favorable as for an element like chlorine where the electron density is slightly lower (due to electron-electron repulsion between the added electron and the other electrons in the electron cloud).
Definition of electron affinity?
The energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom. This is usually exothermic. Noble Gases are excluded from this. Equation: X(element)+e-(electron)---------> X-1+ energy
Why electron affinity of dinegative ion is endothermic?
Di-Negative atoms are already electron rich in nature. This causes electron affinity is less. Since energy is needed to introduce another electron into the atom the process is endothermic.
Why is bromine selective?
Bromine is less reactive than chlorine (and much less so than fluorine) so it is selective when it comes to halogenation substitution reactions.
Which halogen has the lowest first ionization potential?
The outer electrons in bigger halogens are further from the nucleus and so they feel less attraction and so are easier to remove. Therefore, astatine has the lowest ionisation potential of the halogens.
Why sodium and fluorine very reactive while neon show no reactivity?
sodium has one electron more(2,8,1) and fluorine has 1 electron less(2,7) But neon has a stable configuration(2,8,8).
What is the difference between chlorine ion and atom?
A chlorine ion has one less electron, giving it a +1 charge.
