SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 41

The Correct Answer is  option 2  i.e. Chlorine has the highest electron affinity, while fluorine has the highest electronegativity.

Among the halogens, fluorine has the highest electronegativity, which is its ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. This is due to its small atomic size and high effective nuclear charge. However, chlorine has the highest electron affinity, meaning it releases the most energy when gaining an electron. This is because fluorine’s small size causes strong electron-electron repulsions in its compact orbitals, slightly reducing its electron affinity compared to chlorine. Thus, fluorine is the most electronegative element, while chlorine leads in electron affinity.

Other options :

• Fluorine doesn’t have the highest electron affinity.

• Bromine does not have the highest electronegativity.

• Fluorine does not have both highest electron affinity and electronegativity.