Some electron affinities are negative quantities, while some are zero or positive. Why is this not also the case with ionization energies? Electron affinities use a different reference point for where "zero" energy is defined. lonization energies are always positive because separating a negatively charged electron from a positively charged nucleus or cation will always require energy, as these particles will

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Chapter7: Atomic Structure And Periodicity
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Problem 76E: In defining the sizes of orbitals, why must we use an arbitrary value, such as 90% of the...
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Choose one that answers the question. Why ionization energies don't hold the same case as electron affinities?

Some electron affinities are negative quantities, while some are zero or positive. Why
is this not also the case with ionization energies?
Electron affinities use a different reference point for where "zero" energy is defined.
lonization energies are always positive because separating a negatively charged electron
from a positively charged nucleus or cation will always require energy, as these particles will
attract each other.
lonization energies and electron affinities are defined for gas phase atoms; nonmetals tend to
form gases more readily than metals so the signs of these properties are reflective of this
trend.
lonization energies are defined to be the absolute value of the electron affinities, so they are
always positive quantities.
lonization energies are always negative because the products (an electron and an ion) are
always more stable than the initial species.
Transcribed Image Text:Some electron affinities are negative quantities, while some are zero or positive. Why is this not also the case with ionization energies? Electron affinities use a different reference point for where "zero" energy is defined. lonization energies are always positive because separating a negatively charged electron from a positively charged nucleus or cation will always require energy, as these particles will attract each other. lonization energies and electron affinities are defined for gas phase atoms; nonmetals tend to form gases more readily than metals so the signs of these properties are reflective of this trend. lonization energies are defined to be the absolute value of the electron affinities, so they are always positive quantities. lonization energies are always negative because the products (an electron and an ion) are always more stable than the initial species.
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