Why do noble gases have positive electron gain enthalpy?a)It is diffic...
Due to stable configuration they do not accept an electron and hence they have positive electron gain enthalpy.
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Why do noble gases have positive electron gain enthalpy?a)It is diffic...
Noble gases are a group of chemical elements that are characterized by their extremely low reactivity and stability. They are located in Group 18 of the periodic table and include helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn). One of the unique properties of noble gases is their positive electron gain enthalpy.
1. Definition of Electron Gain Enthalpy:
Electron gain enthalpy is the energy change that occurs when an atom in the gaseous state gains an electron to form a negatively charged ion. It is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract an additional electron.
2. Explanation of the Positive Electron Gain Enthalpy in Noble Gases:
The positive electron gain enthalpy of noble gases can be explained by their stable electron configurations. Noble gases have completely filled outermost electron shells, which give them exceptional stability. This stability arises from the achievement of a full complement of valence electrons, resulting in a highly stable electron configuration.
3. Stable Electron Configuration:
The stable electron configuration of noble gases is characterized by having eight valence electrons (except for helium, which has two). This electron configuration is known as the octet rule. According to the octet rule, atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration with eight valence electrons.
4. Difficulty in Adding an Electron:
Due to their stable electron configuration, noble gases have little tendency to gain an additional electron. Adding an electron to a noble gas atom would disrupt its stable configuration and require a significant amount of energy. This is why noble gases have a positive electron gain enthalpy.
5. Comparison with Other Elements:
In contrast to noble gases, other elements may have negative electron gain enthalpies. These elements have incomplete valence electron shells and can achieve greater stability by gaining an electron. The energy released when the electron is added compensates for the energy required to overcome the repulsion between the negatively charged electron and the negatively charged nucleus.
In summary, noble gases have positive electron gain enthalpies because they have stable electron configurations with completely filled valence electron shells. Adding an electron to a noble gas atom would disrupt this stability, making it energetically unfavorable.
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