Electron affinity is the amount of energy released or absorbed when an atom in the gaseous state accepts an electron to form a negatively charged ion. It is a measure of an atom's tendency to attract and gain electrons. If electron affinity is positive, it means energy is released when an electron is added, indicating a favorable process. Conversely, if electron affinity is negative, it indicates that energy must be supplied for an electron to be added, suggesting an unfavorable process. Higher electron affinity values generally indicate a stronger attraction for electrons.
Electron affinity refers to the amount of energy released or absorbed when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form a negatively charged ion. It is also defined as the tendency of an atom to attract additional electrons. Electron affinity is a measurable property of elements and is often expressed in terms of the energy change in kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol). A positive electron affinity value indicates that energy is released when an electron is added to the atom, while a negative value indicates that energy is required for the process.
