Fluorine has the highest electronegativity among the `ns^(2) np^(5)` group on the Pauling scale, but the electron affinity opf fluorine is less than that of chlorine because:

Options

A. The atomic number of fluorine is less than that of chlorine.
B. Fluorine being the first member of the family behaves in an unusual manner.
C. Chlorine can accommodate an electron better than fluorine by utilising its vacant 3d-orbital.
D. Small size, high electron density and an increased electron repulsion makes addition of an electron to fluorine less favourable than that in the case of chlorine.

Answer

D

Explanation

There is more interelectronic repulsion in 2p-subshell of fluorine than chlorine (3p). So extra electron will be added easily in 3p-subshell of chlorine as compared to 2p-subshell of fluorine.