question 3\nto which of the following atoms is it likely easiest to add an electron?\nhe\nsr\nn

question 3\nto which of the following atoms is it likely easiest to add an electron?\nhe\nsr\nn

question 3\nto which of the following atoms is it likely easiest to add an electron?\nhe\nsr\nn

Answer

Brief Explanations:

The ease of adding an electron is determined by electron affinity. Atoms that gain stability by adding an electron have higher (more negative) electron affinity.

  1. He is a noble gas with a full valence shell; adding an electron requires significant energy, so it is very hard.
  2. Sr is an alkaline earth metal; it tends to lose electrons, not gain them, so adding an electron is difficult.
  3. N has a half-filled p-subshell which is stable, so it has a low electron affinity.
  4. O (oxygen) has a valence shell with 2s²2p⁴; adding an electron will bring it closer to a full octet, making the process favorable compared to the other options.

Answer:

O (the first unlabeled option)