Electron affinity [ENDORSED]

[805601399]

Could someone explain what a more positive electron affinity value means compared to a more negative one?

[gwenkelley3L]

Electron affinity is the amount of energy that is released when an electron is added to a neutral atom or molecule to form a negative ion. A molecule with a positive electron affinity is more likely to accept an electron to be added, and vice versa.

[Shivani Sakthi 1l]

Electron affinity is the energy released when an electron is added to a gas-phase atom. If an atom has a higher electron affinity, more energy is released as the electron is added to an atom. It is important not to confuse electron affinity with the electron's change in energy. When an atom has a higher electron affinity, the atom more easily accepts electrons, resulting in a greater release of energy because the electron is pulled towards the core of the atom. A release of energy results in a negative change of energy. Therefore, deltaE=negative. So, when the change of energy is negative (electron releases energy), the atom has a higher electron affinity, so the value for electron affinity is positive. If the change of energy is positive, meaning that energy needs to be added for the atom to uptake the electron, there is a low electron affinity since energy is not released when the electron is added, making the electron affinity value negative.

[Alan Nguyen 2I]

A positive electron affinity means that energy was released when an electron was added, or that is exothermic. The change in energy is negative. The opposite is true for negative electron affinity; energy is absorbed when an electron is added. The reaction is endothermic. The change in energy is positive.

[Andrew Nguyen 1E]

Electron affinity is the energy absorbed or released when an electron is added to a gasp-phase ion. When EA is positive, energy is released when an electron is added to the atom, meaning the atom really wants that electron. Group 17 halogens have high EAs, reflecting their desire for one more electron to complete their valence octet. When EA is negative, energy is absorbed when an electron is added to the atom, meaning the atom does not want any more electrons. The nobles gases are an example, having EAs less than 0 since their octet is already filled.