Answer to Question #101252 in General Chemistry for Sabrina

Question

Compare and contrast ionization energy and electron affinity

Answer 1

1. Electron affinity is the amount of energy RELEASED when a neutral atom or a molecule gains an electron from outside. Ionization energy is the amount of energy NEEDED by a gaseous atom in order to remove an electron from its outermost orbital.
2. Electron affinity describes the release of energy to the surrounding. Ionization energy describes the absorption of energy from outside.
3. Electron affinity is used to describe electron gaining. Ionization energy is used to describe electron removing.