Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What does a high electron affinity suggest about an atom?

1. It easily loses electrons.

2. It can accept electrons easily.

3. It has a full outer electron shell.

4. It is highly reactive with bases.

The correct answer is: It can accept electrons easily.

A high electron affinity indicates that an atom has a strong tendency to attract and gain electrons. This means that when an atom has high electron affinity, it is energetically favorable for the atom to accept additional electrons, which often leads to the formation of negative ions or anions. In contrast, an atom with low electron affinity does not readily accept electrons, suggesting it is less likely to form negative ions. The concept of electron affinity is closely tied to the stability of the atom once it gains an electron; a high electron affinity implies that the atom can achieve a more stable electron configuration by accepting an electron. The correct choice emphasizes the atom's ability to easily accept electrons, which is a key characteristic of elements with high electron affinity, particularly nonmetals. This property is especially pronounced in elements located in Groups 16 and 17 of the periodic table, where elements such as oxygen and chlorine exhibit this behavior.