Write an equation for the first electron affinity of helium.Would you predict a positive or a negative energy value forthis process? Is it possible to directly measure the first electronaffinity of helium?

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1. The first electron affinity of an atom is the energy change when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form a negative ion. For helium, the equation would be: He(g) + e- -> He-(g).

2. The energy value for this process would be positive. This is because helium is a noble gas with a full electron shell, so it does not want to gain any more electrons. Adding an electron to helium would require energy, making the process endothermic and the energy value positive.

3. It is not possible to directly measure the first electron affinity of helium. This is because helium does not naturally form negative ions, so we cannot observe this process in a laboratory setting. Instead, we can only predict the energy value based on our understanding of atomic structure and electron configurations.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electron Affinity

Electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gas phase to form a negative ion. It is typically expressed in kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol) and can be either positive or negative. A negative value indicates that energy is released during the process, while a positive value suggests that energy must be supplied to add the electron.

Helium's Electron Configuration

Helium has a complete electron configuration of 1s², meaning it has a full outer shell. This stability makes it less likely to gain an additional electron, as doing so would require overcoming the repulsion between the incoming electron and the already present electrons. Consequently, helium's first electron affinity is expected to be positive, indicating that energy is required to add an electron.

Measurement of Electron Affinity

Measuring the electron affinity of helium directly is challenging due to its stable electron configuration and the fact that it does not readily form negative ions. Instead, electron affinities are often inferred from experimental data or calculated using theoretical models. For helium, the first electron affinity is typically considered to be negligible or positive, reflecting the difficulty in adding an electron to a noble gas.