Periodic Trends (General Chem Chapter 2)

Question 1

What is electron affinity?

Answer 1

Electron affinity is the measure of energy released when an atom in the gaseous state gains an electron.

• Exothermic reaction

Question 2

Classify ionization energy (IE) either an endothermic process and which is an endothermic process?

Answer 2

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom in the gaseous state. Becuase this process requires the input of heat/energy, this process is endothermic.

Question 3

What is a divalent cation?

Answer 3

A divalent cation is a cation that has a 2+ charge.

• The alkaline earth metals group 2A are the perfect example of divalent cations.

Question 4

What is electronegativity?

Answer 4

Electronegativity is a measure of the attractive force that an atom will exert on an electron in a chemical bond.

• The greater the electronegativity of an atom, the more it attracts electrons within a bond.
• Electonegativity values are related to ionization energy: the lower the ionization energy the lower the electronegativity value.