Electron Affinity - Electron Affinities of The Elements

Electron Affinities of The Elements

Although E_ea varies greatly across the periodic table, some patterns emerge. Generally, nonmetals have more positive E_ea than metals. Atoms whose anions are more stable than neutral atoms have a greater E_ea. Chlorine most strongly attracts extra electrons; mercury most weakly attracts an extra electron. The electron affinities of the noble gases have not been conclusively measured, so they may or may not have slightly negative values.

E_ea generally increases across a period (row) in the periodic table. This is caused by the filling of the valence shell of the atom; a group 7A atom releases more energy than a group 1A atom on gaining an electron because it obtains a filled valence shell and therefore is more stable.

A trend of decreasing E_ea going down the groups in the periodic table would be expected. The additional electron will be entering an orbital farther away from the nucleus. Since this electron is farther from the nucleus it is less attracted to the nucleus and would release less energy when added. However, a clear counterexample to this trend can be found in group 2A, and this trend only applies to group 1A atoms. Electron affinity follows the trend of electronegativity. Fluorine (F) has a higher electron affinity than oxygen and so on.

The following data are quoted in kJ/mol. Elements marked with an asterisk are expected to have electron affinities close to zero on quantum mechanical grounds.