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Which atom has higher electron affinity F or I, Why?​

User CJBS
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Down a group, electron affinity typically decreases. This is because the atomic radius increases down a group.
Fluorine, which is higher up the group then chlorine, has a lower electron affinity. This is because the electrons in the outermost shell of a fluorine atom are closer together.
The electron gained also feels a great amount of repulsion from the electrons originally in the outermost shell. Energy is required to keep the gained electron in the shell, causing fluorine to have a smaller electron affinity than chlorine.
Hope this helps :)
User Sabrina Jewson
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