The electron gain enthalpy of N is +ve?

Question

The electron gain enthalpy of N is +ve?

Answer 1

N has stable half filled p-sub-shell which on adding one more electron becomes unstable and so energy is absorbed in the process i.e. the electron gain enthalpy is +ve.

Answer 2

Usually, electron gain enthalpy is -ve because energy is released.But for hydrogen and some other atoms like boron and all the noble gases have +ve electron gain enthalpy.This is because they have half filled(in case of B and N) or fully fiilled(noble gases) subshells have higher stability and thus, have lesser tendency to accept the electrons.Thus, energy has to be given to force the electrons into the atoms.Since energy is absorbed by the atom, electron gain enthalpy is +ve.