Electronegativity & electron affinity

[Yuzhe Yuan]

Hi,

What is the difference between electronegativity and electron affinity?
Why does N have high electronegativity, but requires energy when adding an electron (negative first electron affinity)?

Thank you!

[KyleNagasawaDisc3C_Chem 14B2022W_]

Hey Yuzhe,

Electronegativity and Electron Affinity are frequently confused ideas, so please be wary of the difference. Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons, while electron affinity is the energy released when an electron is added to an element in the gas phase. As a result of this nuance, noble gasses tend to have no values for their electronegativity (no tendency to attract electrons, usually), while they do possess electron affinity values.

Nitrogen possesses high electronegativity due to its relatively high effective nuclear charge that naturally results in a greater pulling of electrons. Nitrogen also possesses a negative electron affinity because the addition of an electron results in a less stable (ionic) species due to the introduction of electron-electron repulsion in its new doubly-filled p-orbital. While Nitrogen attracts electrons, it does so, and in the end, produces a lesser stable species.

I hope this helps!

[Samuel Mushinski 2G]

Hello! Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons, whereas electron affinity is the energy absorbed/released when an atom/molecule gains an electron. N has a high electronegativity due to its small atomic radii, and has a positive electron affinity. This means that energy is absorbed when an electron is gained. Hope this helped!

[Yuzhe Yuan]

Hey Yuzhe,

Electronegativity and Electron Affinity are frequently confused ideas, so please be wary of the difference. Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons, while electron affinity is the energy released when an electron is added to an element in the gas phase. As a result of this nuance, noble gasses tend to have no values for their electronegativity (no tendency to attract electrons, usually), while they do possess electron affinity values.

Nitrogen possesses high electronegativity due to its relatively high effective nuclear charge that naturally results in a greater pulling of electrons. Nitrogen also possesses a negative electron affinity because the addition of an electron results in a less stable (ionic) species due to the introduction of electron-electron repulsion in its new doubly-filled p-orbital. While Nitrogen attracts electrons, it does so, and in the end, produces a lesser stable species.

I hope this helps!

Thank you, this really helps!