Question

Rank the following elements by electron affinity, from most positive to most negative EA value. Rank from most positive to most negative.
a. fluorine
b. helium
c. tellurium
d. rubidium
e. phosphorus
1. Most positive
2. Most negative

Answer 1

Answer:

Most positive = rubidium

Most negative = fluorine

Explanation:

Electron affinity of an element is the energy released when an electron is attached to a neural atom to form an ion in its gaseous state.

X + e⁻ → X⁻

Electron affinity is similar to electronegativity which is the tendency at which an atom accepts an ion towards itself.

Electron affinity increases across the period and decreases down the group in the periodic table.

In the above option,

Fluorine has the highest electron affinity

Rubidium has the lowest electron affinity

Tellurium and then finally Phosphorus

Helium in this case would have the lowest electron affinity because it has filled orbital and does not require any electron to attain stability. Technically, Helium has the lowest or is expected to have the lowest electron affinity which is close to zero according to quantum mechanics.

Most positive = rubidium

Most negative = fluorine.

You can check periodic table for their exact values