Question

Among the elements H, F, Cl, Br, which is likely to have maximum electron affinity and why?

Answer 1

1. Electron affinity is the amount of energy released when an atom gains an electron. It decreases from top to bottom in the group and increases as we move from left to right in a period.
2. In the periodic table, halogens have the highest electron affinity. Among halogens, fluorine should have the highest electron affinity. But chlorine has higher electron affinity than fluorine because fluorine is smaller in size. So the electron attraction is more in chlorine. Thus, chlorine has the maximum electron affinity.