Textbook Question
rue or false: If the electron affinity for an element is a negative number, then the anion of the element is more stable than the neutral atom.
Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements
Brown15th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780137542970
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement146
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions200
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry176
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution155
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry126
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms131
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements126
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding123
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories143
- Ch.10 - Gases147
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces91
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials122
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions126
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics174
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium101
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria139
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria146
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment72
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics129
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry142
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry101
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals68
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry66
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry10
Brown15th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780137542970Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 41
a. Write an equation for the second electron affinity of chlorine.
b. Would you predict a positive or a negative quantity for this process?
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of electron affinity. Electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gas phase to form a negative ion. The first electron affinity is usually exothermic (releases energy) because the added electron is attracted to the positively charged nucleus.
Step 2: Define the second electron affinity. The second electron affinity refers to the energy change when an additional electron is added to a negatively charged ion. This process is generally endothermic (requires energy) because the added electron experiences repulsion from the negatively charged ion.
Step 3: Write the chemical equation for the second electron affinity of chlorine. Start with the chloride ion (Cl-) and add an electron to form the Cl2- ion: \[ \text{Cl}^- (g) + e^- \rightarrow \text{Cl}^{2-} (g) \]
Step 4: Predict the sign of the second electron affinity. Since the second electron is being added to an already negatively charged ion, it will experience repulsion, making the process endothermic. Therefore, the second electron affinity is expected to be a positive quantity.
Step 5: Summarize the findings. The second electron affinity of chlorine involves adding an electron to Cl- to form Cl2-, and this process is endothermic, resulting in a positive energy change.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electron Affinity
Electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gas phase. For most elements, this process releases energy, resulting in a negative value for electron affinity. However, the second electron affinity refers to the addition of a second electron to an already negatively charged ion, which typically requires energy input due to the repulsion between the negatively charged particles.
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Electron Affinity
Chlorine's Electron Configuration
Chlorine has an atomic number of 17, with an electron configuration of [Ne]3s²3p⁵. When it gains one electron, it achieves a stable noble gas configuration, becoming Cl⁻. The addition of a second electron to Cl⁻ (to form Cl²⁻) encounters increased electron-electron repulsion, making this process less favorable and typically resulting in a positive electron affinity value.
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Energy Considerations in Ion Formation
The energy associated with ion formation is crucial in determining whether a process is exothermic or endothermic. For the first electron affinity of chlorine, energy is released, making it negative. However, for the second electron affinity, energy must be supplied to overcome the repulsion between the negatively charged ion and the incoming electron, leading to a positive value for this process.
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Related Practice
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