JEE Main2013ChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in PropertiesActual
Electron gain enthalpy with negative sign of fluorine is less than that of chlorine due to :
Options
- AHigh ionization enthalpy of fluorine
- BSmaller size of chlorine atom
- CSmaller size of fluorine atom
- DBigger size of 2 p orbital of fluorine
Correct answer
C. Smaller size of fluorine atom
Step-by-step solution
The electron gain enthalpy order for halogens is Cl > F > Br > I Due to small size of fluorine the extra electron to be added feels more electronelectron repulsion. Therefore fluorine has less value for electron affinity than chlorine.