Question

Which has more electron affinity carbon or nitrogen?

Answer 1

Answer:

The energy needed to add an extra electron to nitrogen than that of carbon is greater, so the electron affinity of carbon is higher than nitrogen. This is because nitrogen has valence electrons of 2s2 2p3. The 3 electrons in the p orbitals are unpaired.

Answer 2

Answer:

Electron affinity of carbon is more than nitrogen because nitrogen is more stable as compared to carbon due to its half filled p orbital. The p orbital of carbon is empty and it is unstable due to which its affinity to gain incoming electron increases. In nitrogen the 2p³ orbital is half filled .