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Why do the halogen atoms have the greatest electron affinity?

Answer 1

Why? Because these atoms have the greatest nucular charge for a given Period.....retaining an incomplete valence electronic shell.

We assess the reaction....

#X(g)+e^(-) rarr X^(-)(g)+Delta#

Halogen have the greatest nuclear charge, and in addition such reduction COMPLETES their valence shell to give a stable 8-electron configuration. Negative vales for #Delta# would be anticipated.

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Answer 2

Wyatt Adkins

Halogen atoms have the greatest electron affinity due to their strong desire to attain a full outer electron shell by gaining an electron.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.