Question

Noble gases have zero electron affinity values. Explain.

Answer 1

• The quantity of energy released when the isolated and neutral atom in the gaseous phase forms negatively charged species (anion) by the gain of one electron is termed as electron affinity.
• The general equation for electron affinity of element X is:

$\mathrm{X}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{X}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+\mathrm{energy}$

• Electron affinity gives the idea about the ease with which an atom of any element accepts an electron to form its respective anion.
• Elements present in Group 18 or zero Group of the periodic table are termed as noble gases or inert gases.
• It includes Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), and Radon (Ra).
• Noble gases have completely filled outermost or valence shells and therefore, their electronic configuration is highly stable.
• Due to the stable electronic configuration, the tendency of noble gases to accept the electron is zero.