Question

Why is the electron affinity of fluorine less than chlorine?

Explain why:

Fluorine has lower electron affinity than chlorine.

Answer 1

Fluorine has lower electron affinity than chlorine because of the small size of fluorine, which results in stronger repulsion between the electron and the electrons already present in the atom of fluorine. Hence, the energy released in accepting an electron is lesser in fluorine than that of chlorine.

Answer 2

1. Fluorine has a very small atomic size, causing high electron density around its nucleus.
2. This high electron density leads to strong repulsion for the incoming electron.
3. As a result, fluorine does not accept the electron as easily as chlorine.
4. Therefore, less energy is released when fluorine gains an electron, meaning lower electron affinity.
5. Chlorine, with a larger size, can accommodate the electron more easily and thus has a higher electron affinity.