Question

Fluorine has low electron affinity than chlorine because of :

• A. smaller radius of fluorine, high density
• B. smaller radius of chlorine, high density
• C. bigger radius of fluorine, less density
• D. smaller radius of chlorine, less density

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

smaller radius of fluorine, high density

Fluorine has low electron affinity than chlorine because of smaller radius of fluorine, high charge density.
There are strong interelectronic repulsions in the relatively compact 2p subshell of fluorine. Hence, the incoming electron does not feel much attraction.