Electron Affinity

[marisaimbroane1J]

Why does carbon have a higher electron affinity than nitrogen? Does this pattern stay the same down groups 14 and 15?

[AustinGrove3B]

It has to do with the fact that when you add an electron to C, it goes in the 3rd P subshell (previously unoccupied). When you add an electron to N, it has to pair up with another electron in the p shell. The energy released in the C case is larger.

[Kelsey Warren 1I]

In its ground state, C has one electron in the px orbital and one electron in the py orbital and an unoccupied pz orbital. When an e- is added, it occupies the previously empty p orbital, which releases more energy than an additional e- in N pairing up with another in the px orbital.