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Chapter 8: Problem 87

Explain why the first electron affinity of sulfur is \(200 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) but the second electron affinity is \(-649 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\),

Short Answer

Expert verified
The first electron affinity of sulfur is \(200 \, kJ/mol\), which indicates energy is released when an electron is added to a neutral sulfur atom because the additional electron completes a more stable half-filled orbital configuration. However, the second electron affinity is \(-649 \, kJ/mol\), meaning energy needs to be absorbed to add a second electron due to the electron-electron repulsion in the negatively charged ion. Therefore, the second electron affinity is endothermic, which makes it less favourable and explains why it is larger in absolute value.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Electron Affinity

Electron affinity is the amount of energy released (or absorbed) when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form a negative ion. In general, atoms with a more positive electron affinity value are more likely to accept electrons.
02

The First Electron Affinity of Sulfur

For sulfur, the first electron affinity is \(200 \, kJ/mol\). This means when one electron is added to a neutral sulfur atom, \(200 \, kJ/mol\) of energy is released. This is because sulfur's electron configuration ends in 3p4. The added electron will enter the 3p orbital, which completes the half-filled configuration and makes it relatively stable.
03

The Second Electron Affinity of Sulfur

The second electron affinity of sulfur, however, is \(-649 \, kJ/mol\), indicating that energy needs to be absorbed to add a second electron. This may seem unusual, as it implies that adding a second electron to the negatively charged sulfur ion is less favourable. This is because when the second electron is added, the newcomer has to move in an environment already negatively charged by the ion. Consequently, an input of energy is needed to overcome the repulsion between the incoming electron and the negative ion. Hence, the second electron affinity is endothermic, and its value is taken as positive.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Acidic oxides are those that react with water to produce acid solutions, whereas the reactions of basic oxides with water produce basic solutions. Nonmetallic oxides are usually acidic, whereas those of metals are basic. Predict the products of the reactions of these oxides with water: \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{BaO}, \mathrm{CO}_{2}\), \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}, \mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{10}, \mathrm{SO}_{3} .\) Write an equation for each of the reactions.

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