A large negative electron affinity value indicates what tendency in an element?

A large negative electron affinity value indicates that an element has a strong tendency to gain electrons. This value reflects the energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gas phase. When the electron affinity is large and negative, it means that the process of adding an electron releases a significant amount of energy, which is thermodynamically favorable.

Elements with a strong electron affinity are typically nonmetals, especially those in the upper right portion of the periodic table, like the halogens. These elements tend to gain electrons during chemical reactions, resulting in the formation of negatively charged ions (anions). The greater the negative value of the electron affinity, the more likely the element will attract and hold onto an additional electron.

Other options consider behaviors that are not aligned with the properties associated with large negative electron affinities. For instance, an element that forms cations typically has a lower tendency to gain electrons, as it tends to lose them instead.