Question

Oxygen has lesser negative electron-gain enthalpy than sulphur. But from sulphur onwards, the value becomes less negative up to polonium.



Within the group, electronegativity decreases with an increase in atomic number.

I don't undrstand how these two facts coincide.
If electron gain enthalpy is the amount of energy released by an atom to gain electron, and if electronegativity is the tendency of an atom or radical to attract electrons,shouldn't the electron gain enthalpy become more negative down the group?Please make it clear to me..

Answer 1

Within the group, electronegativity decreases with an increase in atomic number. I don't undrstand how these two facts coincide. If electron gain enthalpy is the amount of energy