NEETChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
How is electron affinity defined?
Options
- AThe energy change when an atom loses an electron
- BThe energy change when an atom gains an electron
- CThe energy change when a molecule forms a covalent bond
- DThe energy change when an ion is formed from an atom
Correct answer
B. The energy change when an atom gains an electron
Step-by-step solution
The electron affinity is the negative of the energy change accompanying electron gain, which means it represents the energy change when an atom gains an electron.