Question

Differentiate between the following terms- Electronegativity and Electron affinity

Answer 1

Electronegativity-

Electron Affinity-

It is defined as the tendency of an atom to attract an electron towards itself. It is a property of atoms. Those atoms who lack by 1 or 2 electrons to achieve stable completely filled electronic configuration are always ready to accept electrons, thus they are highly electronegative. As the number of protons increases, the capacity of neutrons to attract an electron increases, thus as we move from left to right in a periodic table, the electronegativity increases. Electronegativity decreases down a group as the distance between the nucleus and the coming electron increases due to the addition of an extra shell.

It is the number of energy released when an electron is added to a neutral. After accepting the electron, an anion is formed. More favorable is the process of adding electron, more negative is the electron affinity. It is a measure of an element's tendency to act as an oxidizing agent. Across the period, the attraction between electrons and nucleus increases, so its favorable to add an electron. Hence, electron affinity increases from left to right in a periodic table. Electron affinity decreases on going down a group as electron is less attracted to the nucleus.