Question 28 of 48intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks
Which of the following pairs of elements would have a more negative electron gain enthalpy? (i) O or F (ii) F or Cl
(i)
Answer
F
(ii)
Answer
Cl
Explanation
Across a period, electron gain enthalpy becomes more negative due to increasing effective nuclear charge, so F has a more negative value than O. Down a group, it generally becomes less negative, but F is an exception because its added electron enters the smaller n=2 level, causing significant repulsion. Cl's added electron enters the larger n=3 level with less repulsion, making Cl's electron gain enthalpy more negative than F's.