On the Electron Affinity of Fluorine

Abstract

The hamiltonian for systems isoelectronic with neon is treated by perturbation methods. The energy of ionization of such systems is represented by a four‐term expression (i.e., to third order of perturbation); the two leading terms are calculated, spectroscopic data for isoelectronic systems are used to evaluate the constants in the two remaining terms. The electron affinity of fluorine is estimated to be 73±3 kcal/g atom. The corresponding dissociation energy of fluorine, as inferred by the Born‐Haber cycle, is estimated to be 18 kcal/mole, to an accuracy believed better than ±12 kcal/mole.