Electron Affinity

[Jerome Mercado 2J]

Just making sure: Is electron affinity the same as electronegativity? I know in Biology calls an ability to attract electrons with electronegativity. If they are different I do no want to mix them up.

[MaanasO 1A]

Hi Jerome!

They are similar. Electronegativity refers to how well an atom can attract an electron. Electron affinity is the actual amount of energy released when an atom gains an electron. They are similar ideas, but they aren't the exact same thing.

Hope that helps!

[Olivia Young 1A]

Electron affinity and electronegativity are different, but they have a very similar trend across the periodic table. Electron affinity refers to the energy released when electrons are added to a gas phase atom, while electronegativity describes the the ability of an atom to attract a pair of bonded electrons. Because both electron affinity and electronegativity are similar concepts, they have very similar trends such that they increase across a period and decrease down a group. So far, Dr. Lavelle hasn't really focused on electronegativity, mostly just ionization energy and electron affinity.