Question

Which element would release the most energy while adding an electron to a neutral atom in the gas phase? The choices are the following: Na. . Al. . Br. . S

Answer 1

Answer: Br

Explanation:

$Br:35:[Ar]3d^{10}4s^24p^5$

$Br^-:36:[Ar]3d^{10}4s^24p^6:[Kr]$

$Na:11:[Ne]3s^1$

$Na^-:12:[Ne]3s^2$

$Al:13:[Ne]3s^23p^1$

$Al^-:14:[Ne]3s^23p^2$

$S:16:[Ne]3s^23p^4$

$S^-:17:[Ne]3s^23p^5$

As Bromine is short of only 1 electron to attain noble gas configuration, it will release energy as more stable species have less energy. Thus bromine would release most energy while adding an an electron to a neutral atom in the gas phase.

All other species Na, Al and S would not attain stable configuration on addition of electron and hence no energy would be released.

Answer 2

Br would release the most energy while adding an electron to a neutral atom in the gas phase.

 

Bromine is a chemical element with symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is a halogen. The element was isolated independently by two chemists, Carl Jacob Löwig and Antoine Jérôme Balard.

 

The correct answer between all the choices given is the third choice. I am hoping that this answer has satisfied your query and it will be able to help you in your endeavor, and if you would like, feel free to ask another question.