Periodic trend question ..please help

Question

which of the following trends is followed by main group elements left to right across a period?

a. electronegativity decrease

b. atomic radius increases

c. electrons are held more weakly

d. attractive forces between the nuclues and outer electrons increases

e. none of these answer

a and b ..i know for sure it is not the correct answer..because electronegativity increases, and for b, atomic radius decreases..

i am aiming for D but not so sure.please help and explain..

What is the general relationship between electron affinity and atomic radius?

a. EA becomes more negative as radius increases

b. EA becomes more negative as raidus decreases

c. there is no relationship

d. EA becomes positive as radius decreases

e. EA becomes positive as radius increases

please help.. thanks

Answer 1

d. attractive forces between the nucleus and outer electrons increases left to right across a period because the number of protons increases (stronger nuclear pull) and the size decreases (electrons closer to the nucleus are attracted more strongly).

Electron affinity is the energy released when an isolated gaseous atom gains an electron. The EA increases as the atomic radius decreases because incoming electrons can get closer to the nucleus of smaller atoms, where the pull is stronger. EA is a negative number because energy is released (exothermic), so b. is the correct answer.