HW #30

[Brandon Achugbue 3H]

What determines electron affinity? I know (or was pretty sure) electron affinity corresponds to the work function required to eject electrons from a substance, but how do you get relative electron affinities from looking at the periodic table, for a problem like this?

[Hannah Joo 2D]

Hi,

The relative electron affinities can be determined based off of the periodic trend. Electron infinity increases as you go across a period and up a group.

Hope this helps!

[Jaylin Hsu 1C]

Hi, so electron affinity is basically the energy that is released when electrons are added to an atom. In this case, it is important to understand that a release of a greater energy has a positive relationship with how badly an elements wants an electron. Thus, in this problem, Fluorine wants to gain another electron to complete its octet. Thus, when it gains that electron, it will release the most energy.

[loganchun]

Hi, the absorption of energy is related to the transition to a less stable state while, the release is the opposite (transition to a more stable state). Adding an electron to an already stable atom will result in the most energy absorbed. Also, electrons that have an almost-filled shell will release the most energy when gaining that additional electron.