AKSHITA SHARMA
Electron affinity refers to the energy released when an electron is accepted by a neutral atom.And yes, Chlorine has a higher electron affinity than Fluorine.That is because although fluorine wants to attract electrons in a bonded pair more easily than chlorine (it is more electronegative), once it has the electron all to itself (gains an electron) the repulsive forces in the small size of the fluoride ion comes into effect. Electrons are all negatively charged and like charges repel each other. With that in mind, the electrons in an atom`s orbit repel each other. The electrons are more stable in the fluoride ion than any other negatively charged ion with the exception of chlorine. It is just that chlorine or rather the chloride ion with a larger size is able to handle the repulsive forces from the electron to electron in its outer shell better than the much smaller fluoride ion.
