Electron affinity of halogens Electron gain Enthalpy
Electron Affinity (Electron gain Enthalpy) -
Halogens possess maximum electron affinities ( -ve electron enthalpies) in their respective periods, because of their small size and high effective nuclear charge. They require only one electron to complete their octct. Because of compact size, electron affinity of F is less than Cl. However, electron affinity decrease down the group from Cl to I. This is again due to increase in size of atoms.