Question

The electron affinity of fluorine is less than that of chlorine because:

• A. the incoming electron enters the 3p orbital in fluorine.
• B. the incoming electron enters the 2p orbitals in fluorine and 3p orbital in chlorine.
• C. the electron density in fluorine is higher.
• D. fluorine has lower ionisation potential than chlorine.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

the electron density in fluorine is higher.

Electron affinity for fluorine is less than chlorine, most likely due to the electron-electron repulsions that occur between the electrons where n = 2. The elements in the second period have such small electron clouds that electron repulsion is greater than that of the rest of the family.