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The electron gain enthalpy of fluorine is less negative than that of chlorine while it is expected to be more negative . Explain ?

Answer 1

We interrogate the process:
#X +e^(-) rarrX^(-) +Delta#

Since fluorine atoms are smaller than chlorine atoms and have a higher effective nuclear charge, reducing one should release more energy.

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Answer 2

Cameron Andrews

The electron gain enthalpy of fluorine is less negative than that of chlorine because of the small size of fluorine atom and the presence of repulsion between the incoming electron and the existing electrons in the valence shell, leading to a less favorable enthalpy change.

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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.