Question
Question: Which of the following will have the most negative electron gain enthalpy and which the least negati...
Which of the following will have the most negative electron gain enthalpy and which the least negative ? F, P, S, Cl.
A
P, Cl
B
Cl, F
C
Cl, S
D
Cl, P
Answer
Cl, P
Explanation
Solution
In chlorine, the addition of additional electron to larger 3p-subshell experiences less electron-electron repulsion than smaller 2p-subshell of fluorine. Phosphorus has very low electron affinity because there is high electron repulsion when the incoming electron enters an orbital that is already half filled.