Electron affinity is the opposite of ionization energy (ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom). This property is measured when the elements are in a gaseous state only - this is because it is measured with the atoms sufficiently separated so as to not have their energy levels be affected by surrounding atoms. Both of these concepts, however, rely on the principles of nuclear charge and the ability to attract electrons.Įlectron affinity is the measure of the energy released when an electron is added to an atom to create a negative ion. Electronegativity is the measure of how much an atom will attract a pair of electrons in a bond. Electron affinity is related to electronegativity, but is a quantitative measure of the energy change (in kilojoules per mole) of an atom when an electron is added. Is electron affinity the same as electronegativity? Of the metals, mercury has the lowest electron affinity.ģ. Metals are more likely to lose electrons than they are to gain them. Thus, the top right elements (except for the noble gases) have the highest electron affinities - the greatest energy released when an electron is added. Where is electron affinity highest on the periodic table?Įlectron affinity increases towards the top of the periodic table and towards the right. If an element gains an electron, this creates a negatively charged atom called an anion.ġ. In every element, an equal number of negatively charged electrons are present in shells surrounding the nucleus. Refresher: Elements have positively charged protons in their nucleus that give them a particular nuclear charge.
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