An atom of which of the following elements has the most negative electron affinity?
A) K
B) Sb
C) Cl
D) Br
E) O

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an atom gains an electron. The more negative the electron affinity, the more energy is released when the atom gains an electron. Therefore, the element with the most negative electron affinity is the one that releases the most energy upon gaining an electron. Among the given options, chlorine (Cl) has the highest electron affinity because it is close to achieving a stable octet (8 valence electrons) and gaining an electron would make it a negatively charged ion with a full octet. This process releases a lot of energy, making its electron affinity more negative compared to the other options.

An Atom of Which of the Following Elements Has the Most