Video Transcript
What is the equation representing
the electron affinity of fluorine, F? (A) F gas forms F plus gas plus e minus. (B) F minus gas forms F gas plus e minus. (C) F gas plus e minus forms F minus gas. Or (D) F minus gas plus e minusforms F
gas.
In this question, we must identify
the equation representing the electron affinity of fluorine.
Electron affinity is the energy
released when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gas state. The correct equation must begin
with a neutral fluorine atom in the gaseous state. Since the electron affinity
measures the energy released when an electron is added, the equation must also show
a negatively charged electron being added to the neutral fluorine atom.
Once an electron is added to a
neutral fluorine atom, the fluoride ion is formed, which has a one-minus charge
state. No phase change occurs, so the
fluoride ion is also gaseous. Therefore, the reactants of the
equation would be the chemical symbol for fluorine, F, in the gas state combining
with a negative electron to produce a fluoride ion in the gas state. We can see that the equation we
have written matches answer choice (C).
Therefore, the equation that
correctly represents the electron affinity of fluorine is answer choice (C). F gas plus e minus forms F minus gas.
