Sort the following elements by electron affinity, from most positive to most negative EA value: bismuth, chlorine, helium, cesium, and tellurium.
Here is a site that has the electron affinity of each element. Click on the element and scroll down the menu on the left side of the screen to electronic properties, then to electron affinity.
http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Mo/key.html
To sort the elements by electron affinity from most positive to most negative EA value, we need to understand that electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an atom gains an electron. A higher electron affinity value indicates a stronger attraction for an additional electron.
Here is the sorted list of elements by electron affinity, starting from the most positive to the most negative EA value:
1. Helium (He): Helium has the lowest electron affinity value among the given elements. Due to its small atomic size and already having a full valence shell, helium has a very low tendency to gain an electron.
2. Bismuth (Bi): Bismuth has a relatively low electron affinity. Although bismuth is bigger in size and has more shielding compared to chlorine, it is further down in the periodic table. The electron affinity of bismuth is positive but still lower than that of chlorine.
3. Chlorine (Cl): Chlorine has a higher electron affinity than bismuth. With its smaller atomic size and a significant electronegativity, chlorine has a stronger attraction for an additional electron compared to bismuth.
4. Tellurium (Te): Tellurium has a higher electron affinity than chlorine. Being an element closer to the right side of the periodic table, tellurium has a larger atomic size and less electronegativity than chlorine, resulting in a higher electron affinity.
5. Cesium (Cs): Among the given elements, cesium has the highest electron affinity. Cesium has the largest atomic size, and its electron affinity is the most negative, as it has a weaker attraction for an additional electron compared to the other elements.
So, the sorted list of elements by electron affinity from most positive to most negative EA value is: Helium (He) < Bismuth (Bi) < Chlorine (Cl) < Tellurium (Te) < Cesium (Cs).
To sort the elements by electron affinity, we need to compare their electron affinity values. Electron affinity refers to the amount of energy released or required when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form a negative ion.
To find the electron affinity values of the given elements, we can consult the periodic table or search for a reliable source. Since it may not be practical for me to search in real-time, I'll provide you with some general information on electron affinity values to help you understand the expected order.
In general, the electron affinity increases across a period from left to right and decreases down a group in the periodic table. However, there can be exceptions due to factors such as atomic size and electron configuration.
Based on this information, let's analyze the given elements:
1. Helium (He): Helium is in the noble gas group and has a full valence shell. Noble gases generally have very low electron affinity values since they are already stable. Therefore, helium is expected to have the least negative electron affinity value.
2. Cesium (Cs): Cesium is an alkali metal in Group 1, which typically has low electron affinity values. As we move across the periodic table from left to right, electron affinity increases, but for Group 1 elements, there is generally little attraction for an additional electron. So, cesium is expected to have a slightly more negative electron affinity than helium.
3. Bismuth (Bi): Bismuth is a heavy element in Group 15. As we move across the periodic table from left to right, electron affinity generally increases. However, in heavy elements, the shielding effect of inner electrons becomes more significant, reducing the effective attraction for additional electrons. As a result, bismuth's electron affinity value is expected to be less negative than chlorine and tellurium.
4. Chlorine (Cl): Chlorine is a halogen in Group 17. Halogens are known for having relatively high electron affinity values since they only need one more electron to achieve a stable noble gas electron configuration.
5. Tellurium (Te): Tellurium is a metalloid in Group 16. Like sulfur and oxygen, it has a relatively high electronegativity and is expected to have a moderately negative electron affinity value.
Based on these considerations, we can arrange the elements by their expected electron affinity values from most positive to most negative:
Helium (He) < Cesium (Cs) < Bismuth (Bi) < Tellurium (Te) < Chlorine (Cl)
Remember, this is an educated guess based on periodic trends, and actual electron affinity values should be verified using reliable sources or the periodic table.