1
Question
Which of the following has highest electron affinity?
Which of the following has highest electron affinity?
Open in App
Solution
The correct option is B S
E.A values decrease down a group and increase across a period, hence, the E.A of O should be theoritically highest, but E.A of S is more than that of O. This can be explained on the basis of the fact that since oxygen is a much smaller atom than sulphur, the additional electron when added to the oxygen atom, causes much greater inter-electronic repulsions, because a large number of electrons get crowded within a small space. These Coulombic repulsive forces lessen the attraction that the additional electron feels towards the nucleus, and thereby lowers the electron affinity.
Therefore, S has the highest E.A.
E.A values decrease down a group and increase across a period, hence, the E.A of O should be theoritically highest, but E.A of S is more than that of O. This can be explained on the basis of the fact that since oxygen is a much smaller atom than sulphur, the additional electron when added to the oxygen atom, causes much greater inter-electronic repulsions, because a large number of electrons get crowded within a small space. These Coulombic repulsive forces lessen the attraction that the additional electron feels towards the nucleus, and thereby lowers the electron affinity.
Therefore, S has the highest E.A.
Suggest Corrections
0
Similar questions
View More
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
Explore more
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
