ELECTRON AFFINITY

The first electron affinity, EA1, is the enthalpy change when 1 mole of electrons is added to 1 mole

of gaseous atoms to form 1 mole of gaseous 1– ions under standard conditions.

Example:

Note that:

 the change is from gaseous atoms to gaseous 1– ions

 the enthalpy change for the first electron affinity, EA1 is generally exothermic: EA1 is

negative.

 Second electron affinity on ward electron affinity is positive.

 The overall enthalpy change in forming an oxide ion, O2–, from an oxygen atom is found by

adding together the 1st and 2nd electron affinities:

 Factors affecting Electron Affinity

The stronger the attraction between upcoming electron and nucleus of an atom larger will be the

electron affinity.

Following are the factors that affect the value of EA.

 Nuclear Charge

 Atomic size

 Shielding effect

 Nuclear charge

 Nuclear charge is directly proportional to EA.

 Greater the nuclear charge, greater will be electron affinity.

 Because greater the nuclear charge, stronger the attractive force between nucleus and

upcoming electron.

For example: Chlorine has greater nuclear charge than sulfur. So chlorine will attract the upcoming

electron with stronger force so large amount of energy will release than sulfur.

 Atomic size

 Atomic size is inversely proportional to EA

 Larger the atomic size, smaller will be EA

 Because in large atom the valence shell is away from the nucleus, so attractive force

between nucleus and upcoming electron is weaker.

For Example: The electron affinity value decreases down the group in group 16 and 17 due to

increase atomic size.

 Shielding affect:

 Shielding effect is inversely proportional to EA

 Greater the shielding of inner electrons, smaller will be EA.

  Because inner electron shield the upcoming electron from nucleus, so attractive force

between nucleus and upcoming electron is weaker.

For example: The electron affinity value decreases down the group in group 16 and 17 due to

increase shielding effect.

Trend in EA value of Group 16 and 17

The EA value of group 16 and 17 decrease down the group due to above mentioned factors.