Question

Neon atom requires energy to remove one electron from its outermost orbit, so also to add one electron into the outermost orbit. Which of the following is correct about fluorine? I. Fluorine releases energy when an electron is removed.
II. Fluorine requires energy to add one electron.

• A. (i) and (ii) are correct
• B. (i) is correct, (ii) is false
• C. (i) is false, (ii) is correct
• D. (i) and (ii) are false

Hint:

Halogens have high electron affinity → energy released on gaining electron.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The question asks about the behavior of a fluorine atom regarding energy changes when adding or removing an electron. Let's analyze each statement: 

1. Statement I: "Fluorine releases energy when an electron is removed."
   • Fact: Fluorine is an electronegative element, meaning it has a high tendency to attract electrons rather than give them up. When an electron is removed from a neutral fluorine atom, energy is required rather than released. This is because energy must be provided to overcome the attraction between the positive nucleus and the negatively charged electron.
   • Therefore, Statement I is false.
2. Statement II: "Fluorine requires energy to add one electron."
   • Fact: When an electron is added to a fluorine atom, the process is exothermic, meaning energy is released. This is because adding an electron to an electronegative atom like fluorine forms a stable anion (F⁻), and the energy released during this process is referred to as electron affinity.
   • Therefore, Statement II is false.

Given the explanations above, neither statement is correct regarding fluorine's tendency to gain or lose electrons. Therefore, the correct answer is that (i) and (ii) are false.