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Most metals, especially those in the alkali and alkaline groups, want to form cations by giving away rather than forming anions by assuming an electron from another atom. For this reason, it is difficult to measure the electron affinities of metals.

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Would you expect nonmetals to have larger electron affinities than metals?

Yes. Non metals have larger electron affinity than metals as non metals accept electrons more easily than metals.


Why does electron affinity increase going left to right?

In general, electron affinity does not increase steadily from left to right. Firstly, only non-metals have electron affinities greater than 0. Secondly, the ordering of these electron affinities is O<N<F; S<P<Cl


Do nonmetals have always higher electron affinity than metals?

No, nonmetals do not always have higher electron affinity than metals. Electron affinity depends on the specific element and its position in the periodic table. Some metals can have higher electron affinities than certain nonmetals.


Why do halogens in group 7 have such have such high electron affinities?

Halogens in group 7 have high electron affinities because they only need to gain one electron to achieve a stable octet electron configuration, which is energetically favorable. This makes them highly reactive in forming stable compounds with metals that can donate an electron to satisfy their electron needs.


Which element group have the most positive electron affinities?

The group that has a substantial affinity for electrons is group 17, the halogens. These elements have 7 valence electrons which makes them have the highest affinity for electrons.


Why do metals and non-metals usually form ionic compounds whereas two bonded non-metals are never ionic?

First an explanation in terms of ionization energy and electron affinity: Metals have low ionization energies and readily form ions. Non-metals have high electron affinities- so put them together and electron transfer is favourable. Two bonded non metals are generally covalent- their ionization energies are high. Now an explanation in terms of electronegativity (electronegativity is related to ionization energy and elctron affinity) metals have low electronegativity- non metals are comparativelly high. So electron transfer is likely. Just a cautionary word about compounds of non metals never being ionic-- what about PBr5- a binary compound of two non metals- in the solid state this has the structure PBr4+ Br-...bit of a cheat really as there is a polyatomic ion in there but it is ionic!


What is a characteristic property of an Alkaline earth metal?

One characteristic property of alkaline earth metals is their tendency to form ionic compounds with a +2 oxidation state. This makes them readily react with nonmetals to form stable compounds. Additionally, alkaline earth metals have relatively low electron affinities, making them less reactive than alkali metals.


How many valence electron does alkali metals have?

Alkali metals have one valence electron.


How do different metals affect emission of electrons?

Different metals have different work functions, which determine the amount of energy required to remove an electron from the surface of the metal. Metals with lower work functions typically exhibit higher electron emission because it requires less energy to release an electron. Additionally, the surface properties of the metal can affect electron emission, such as roughness or cleanliness, which can impact the efficiency of the emission process.


What type of metals such as sodium have a single valence electron and very reactive?

Highly reactive metals with one valence electron are known as Alkali metals.


What type of metals such as sodium have a single valence electron are very reactive?

Highly reactive metals with one valence electron are known as Alkali metals.


For Group 2A metals which electron is the most difficult to remove?

The only one that does move is the outer electron. That is why they have a valency of 1 and it is also why their reactivity increases down the group as the attraction of the nucleus becomes less as the outter electron becomes further away from it.