Which of the following elements has an electron affinity higher than that of oxygen?

• A. Nitrogen (N)
• B. Fluorine (F)
• C. Carbon (C)
• D. Sulfur (S)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electron affinity (EA) is the energy change when an atom gains an electron, typically measured in kJ/mol. A higher (more positive) electron affinity means the atom more readily accepts an electron.
2. Recall the general trend of electron affinity in the periodic table: EA tends to increase across a period from left to right and decrease down a group, with some exceptions due to electron configurations.
3. Compare the electron affinity of oxygen (O) with the given elements: Nitrogen (N), Fluorine (F), Carbon (C), and Sulfur (S). Consider their positions in the periodic table relative to oxygen.
4. Note that fluorine (F) is to the right of oxygen in the same period, and generally elements to the right have higher electron affinities because they have a stronger effective nuclear charge attracting the added electron.
5. Conclude that fluorine has a higher electron affinity than oxygen based on its position and the periodic trend, while nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur have lower electron affinities compared to oxygen.