3.21 Would you expect the second electron gain enthalpy of O as positive, more negative or less negative than the first? Justify your answer.
When an electron is added to neutral O atom, a monovalent anion is formed and there is release in energy, i.e., the first electron gain enthalpy is negative. After that when the second electron is added to anion to form anion, there is a lot of electrostatic repulsions is there as both anion and electron have a negative charge, more difficult to add the second electron. To overcome the force of repulsion, we have to give some energy. Thus, the second electron gain enthalpy of Oxygen is positive. i.e.,