Practice question · True or false
Electron affinity generally becomes more negative going DOWN a group.
Hints
- A more negative value means energy is released more readily on gaining an electron.
- Going down a group the incoming electron lands in a larger, better-shielded shell.
Show the answer
False
Why
False, the trend runs the other way. Down a group the added electron enters a shell further from the nucleus and better shielded, so less energy is released and the affinity becomes less negative. It is going ACROSS a period that makes it more negative, peaking at the halogens.
Practise Periodic Properties
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