Electron affinity

Electron affinity refers to the amount of energy released when an atom gains an electron and becomes negatively charged. It reflects how much an atom "wants" to attract and hold on to an extra electron. Atoms with high electron affinity tend to be more reactive, as they readily gain electrons to achieve a full outer shell, leading to greater stability. The concept helps explain the behavior of elements in chemical reactions, especially nonmetals like chlorine and fluorine, which have high electron affinities and readily form negative ions.