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Question

Explain the trend in general of (i) electron affinity (ii) electronegativity of elements:
(a) on moving from left to right across a period
(b) on moving down a group.
Give reasons for the change in each periodic trend.

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Answer

Trends in (i) Electron Affinity and (ii) Electronegativity:

(a) Across a Period (Left to Right):

  • Electron Affinity: Increases. Decreasing atomic size and increasing nuclear charge make atoms more able to attract electrons.
  • Electronegativity: Increases. Smaller atoms with higher nuclear charge pull shared electrons more strongly.

(b) Down a Group:

  • Electron Affinity: Decreases. Although nuclear charge increases, the larger atomic size weakens the attraction for additional electrons.
  • Electronegativity: Decreases. Larger atomic size reduces the atom’s ability to attract shared electrons despite the increased nuclear charge.

💡 Some Related Questions

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With reference to group 1 [IA] of the periodic table – fill in the blanks with the correct word:
The elements are …………… [light/heavy] …………… [metals/non metals] since their atomic size is …………… [large/small]. The energy binding the atoms is …………… [high/low] and hence the elements have …………… [high/low] melting points. The melting points of the elements …………… [increases/decreases] down the subgroup. The electropositive character …………… [increases/decreases] down the subgroup and the elements are strong …………… [reducing/oxidizing] agents. The element with electronic configuration 2, 8, 1 will have …………… [higher/lower] electron affinity and …………… [smaller/larger] atomic size than the element with electronic configuration 2, 1.

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In period 2, element ‘A’ is to the right of element ‘B’
(a) The element ‘A’ would probably have a …………… [smaller/larger] atomic size than ‘B’.
(b) The element ‘B’ would probably have …………… [lower/higher] ionization potential than ‘A’.
(c) The element ‘A’ would have …………… [lesser/higher] electron affinity than ‘B’.
(d) Nuclear charge of element ‘B’ would be …………… [less/more] than element ‘A’.
(e) If an element ‘C’ had a low electronegativity and ionization potential it would have more tendency to …………… [gain/lose] electrons.

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