Which of the following electronic configurations corresponds to the element with the highest electron affinity?

Options

A. `1s^(2) 2s^(2) 2p^5`
B. `1s^(2)2s^(2) 2p^(4) `
C. `1s^(2) 2s^1`
D. `1s^1`

Explanation

To determine which electronic configuration corresponds to the element with the highest electron affinity, we will analyze the given options step by step.

### Step 1: Identify the Electronic Configurations
The question provides several electronic configurations. We need to identify which element each configuration corresponds to:
- **Option A:** 1s² 2s² 2p⁵
- **Option B:** 1s² 2s² 2p⁴
- **Option C:** 1s² 2s¹
- **Option D:** 1s¹

### Step 2: Determine the Elements
Using the electronic configurations, we can determine the elements:
- **Option A (1s² 2s² 2p⁵)** corresponds to **Fluorine (F)** with atomic number 9.
- **Option B (1s² 2s² 2p⁴)** corresponds to **Oxygen (O)** with atomic number 8.
- **Option C (1s² 2s¹)** corresponds to **Lithium (Li)** with atomic number 3.
- **Option D (1s¹)** corresponds to **Hydrogen (H)** with atomic number 1.

### Step 3: Understand Electron Affinity
Electron affinity is defined as the amount of energy released when an electron is added to a neutral gaseous atom. The more negative the electron affinity, the higher the tendency of the atom to gain an electron.

### Step 4: Compare Electron Affinities
- **Fluorine (F)** has the highest electron affinity among the elements listed because it is one electron short of achieving a stable noble gas configuration (Neon). When it gains an electron, it achieves a full outer shell (2p⁶), which is very stable.
- **Oxygen (O)** also gains an electron to achieve stability, but it is not as favorable as Fluorine since it will not complete its outer shell.
- **Lithium (Li)** and **Hydrogen (H)** have much lower electron affinities compared to Fluorine and Oxygen because they are further from achieving a stable configuration.

### Conclusion
Based on the analysis, **Option A (1s² 2s² 2p⁵)** corresponds to **Fluorine**, which has the highest electron affinity.

### Final Answer
**The electronic configuration that corresponds to the element with the highest electron affinity is 1s² 2s² 2p⁵ (Fluorine).**

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