Does oxygen have a low electron affinity?

As you might have noticed, the first electron affinity of oxygen (-142 kJ mol-1) is less than that of fluorine (-328 kJ mol-1). Similarly sulphur’s (-200 kJ mol-1) is less than chlorine’s (-349 kJ mol-1).

Do nonmetals have high or low electron affinity?

Nonmetals have a greater electron affinity than metals because of their atomic structures: first, nonmetals have more valence electrons than metals do, thus it is easier for the nonmetals to gain electrons to fulfill a stable octet and secondly, the valence electron shell is closer to the nucleus, thus it is harder to …

Why does oxygen have a lower electron affinity than sulfur?

Oxygen being smaller in size than sulfur, has its valence shell electrons placed more closely than sulfur. Due to this electrons repel each other greatly. S0 the overall electron affinity of the oxygen comes out to be lesser than that of sulfur.

Why electron affinity of oxygen is least in its group?

This is prominent in oxygen and fluorine. Because of the small size, all electrons are packed in a small volume and thus, an incoming electron faces a lot of repulsion. This lowers the stability of the species formed and hence leads to lower electron affinity.

Why oxygen has lowest electron affinity in its group?

Why is the first electron affinity of oxygen negative?

Energy is absorbed to overcome inter-electronic repulsion between two negatively charged species. If you remember the electronegativity of Oxygen has 2nd highest electronegativity. It is for this reason Oxygen can readily accept an electron and it’s electron affinity is negative.

Do nonmetals lose electrons?

Non-metals tend to gain electrons to attain Noble Gas configurations. The have relatively high Electron affinities and high Ionization energies. Metals tend to lose electrons and non-metals tend to gain electrons, so in reactions involving these two groups, there is electron transfer from the metal to the non-metal.

Why do nonmetals have high electronegativity?

Detailed Solution. Non-Metals are generally more electronegative due to their Smaller atomic radii. Non-metals having high pull forces on their electron because they are closer to having a full valance shell, which makes them stable. The much number of valance electrons have more electronegative.

Which of the following elements have electron affinity less than oxygen?

Thus, in case of oxygen and sulphur which are present in the same group, sulphur has greater electron affinity than oxygen. So, out of the given elements to us, nitrogen has the lowest electron affinity. Hence, the correct option is (A) Nitrogen.

Does oxygen or sulfur have more electron affinity?

Solution: This is because of smaller size of oxygen due to which it has got higher change density and thus electronic repulsion increases as it takes electron. So its Electron affinity is less than sulphur.