Electron affinity is maximum in:

Options

A. Alkali metals
B. Alkaline earth metals
C. Halogens
D. Inert gases

Explanation

To determine which group of elements has the maximum electron affinity, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Electron Affinity
Electron affinity is defined as the amount of energy released when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gas phase. A higher electron affinity means that an atom has a stronger attraction for an additional electron.

**Hint:** Remember that electron affinity is related to how much an atom "wants" an electron to complete its outer shell.

### Step 2: Analyze the Groups of Elements
We need to consider the four groups mentioned in the question:
- Alkali metals
- Alkaline earth metals
- Halogens
- Inert gases

**Hint:** Think about the electronic configurations of these groups and how they relate to their tendency to gain or lose electrons.

### Step 3: Examine Alkali Metals
Alkali metals (e.g., sodium, potassium) have one electron in their outermost shell (e.g., sodium has the configuration 2,8,1). They tend to lose this electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.

**Hint:** Alkali metals do not gain electrons; they lose them to become stable.

### Step 4: Examine Alkaline Earth Metals
Alkaline earth metals (e.g., magnesium, calcium) have two electrons in their outer shell (e.g., magnesium has the configuration 2,8,2). They also tend to lose electrons to achieve stability.

**Hint:** Like alkali metals, alkaline earth metals are more inclined to lose electrons rather than gain them.

### Step 5: Examine Halogens
Halogens (e.g., fluorine, chlorine) have seven electrons in their outer shell (e.g., fluorine has the configuration 2,7). They require one additional electron to complete their octet, which makes them highly electronegative and gives them a high electron affinity.

**Hint:** Halogens are known for their strong tendency to gain an electron to achieve a full outer shell.

### Step 6: Examine Inert Gases
Inert gases (e.g., neon, argon) have a complete outer shell (e.g., neon has the configuration 2,8). They do not need any additional electrons and thus have very low or nearly zero electron affinity.

**Hint:** Inert gases are stable and do not seek to gain electrons.

### Step 7: Conclusion
Based on the analysis, halogens are the group of elements that have the maximum electron affinity because they require one electron to complete their octet.

**Final Answer:** The group with the maximum electron affinity is **halogens**.