Among the following configurations, the element which has the highest electron affinity is : — Periodic Table and Periodicity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Identify the elements from the electronic configurations: option (b) is [Ne] 3s2 3p5, which represents Chlorine (a halogen). Option (c) is [Ne] 3s2 3p4, which represents Sulfur (a chalcogen). Step 2: Halogens have the highest electron affinities in their respective periods because they are only one electron away from achieving a stable noble gas configuration. Step 3: Since Chlorine is a halogen and is highly electronegative with a strong tendency to accept an electron, it possesses the highest electron affinity among the options (b).