Which of the following halogens has the highest electron affinity?

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answer is B.

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Detailed Solution

As moving down the group electron affinity of elements decreases.
But in case of Fluorine, it is a small atom with a small amount of space available in its 2p orbital.
Because of this, any new electron trying to attach to fluorine experiences lower electron affinity from the electrons already present in the element's 2p orbital.
Since chlorine's outermost orbital is a 3p orbital, there is more space, and the electrons in this orbital are inclined to share this space with an extra electron.
Therefore, chlorine has a higher electron affinity than fluorine, and this orbital structure causes it to have the highest electron affinity of all of the elements.
Hence, electron affinity of Chlorine is higher in halogens.

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