Question

Which of the following has zero electron affinity?

• A. Neon
• B. Oxygen
• C. Nitrogen
• D. Fluorine

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Neon

Explanation for correct option

(A) Neon

Trend in Electron Affinity

• Electron affinity is the amount of energy released when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form an anion.
• The measurement of electron affinities is difficult.
• Due to increasing nuclear attraction, electron affinity increases from left to right across a period.

Neon

• All of the elements along the same period $2$ include neon, fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen.
• As electronegativity increases along with the period, electron affinities from nitrogen to fluorine increase.
• Gases that are considered noble or inert do not often gain electrons.
• Its affinity for electrons is zero since it already has eight electrons in the outermost shell and does not wish to accept any more.

Explanation for incorrect options

• The electron affinity of Neon is zero.
• Hence, all other options ((B), (C) and (D) are incorrect.

Therefore, the correct option is (A) Neon.