NEETChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
What causes electron gain enthalpy to be more negative for smaller atoms?
Options
- AGreater atomic mass
- BHigher electron-electron repulsion
- CSmaller effective nuclear charge
- DStable electron configuration
Correct answer
C. Smaller effective nuclear charge
Step-by-step solution
Electron gain enthalpy becomes more negative for smaller atoms because the added electron, on average, would be closer to the positively charged nucleus due to the smaller effective nuclear charge.