Question

Arrange the following in the correct order of decreasing electron affinity.
1. Chlorine
2. Fluorine
3. Phosphorus
4. Carbon

Answer 1

Answer:

Fluorine

chlorine

phosphorus

Carbon

Answer 2

Answer:

Chlorine> Fluorine> Carbon> Phosphorous

Explanation:

• The energy associated with the addition of an electron is known as electron affinity.
• Electron affinity normally increases from left to right across the periodic table and decreases as you proceed down the periodic table due to a decrease in size.
• But, because of the unoccupied d-orbitals, Chorine has a stronger electron affinity than fluorine.
• Even though, Phosphorous is towards the right side of the periodic table compared to Carbon. The electron affinity is less for Phosphorous as it has an electrical structure in which the 3p orbital is half-filled. This half-filled structure will be disrupted if an electron is added.

Therefore, the decreasing order of electron affinity is as follows:

Chlorine> Fluorine> Carbon> Phosphorous