Electron Affinity Ea

The correct order of increasing electron affinity for the elements, O, S, F and Cl is:

The formation of the oxide ion O^2– (g), from the oxygen atom requires first an exothermic and then an endothermic step as shown below,
$\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{O}}^{-};$ ${∆}_{\mathrm{f}}{\mathrm{H}}^0=–141$ $\mathrm{kJ}$ ${\mathrm{mol}}^{-1}$
${\mathrm{O}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{O}}^{2-}\left(\mathrm{g}\right);$ ${∆}_{\mathrm{f}}{\mathrm{H}}^0=+780$ $\mathrm{kJ}$ ${\mathrm{mol}}^{-1}$

Thus, the process of formation of O^2– in the gas phase is unfavorable even though O^2– is isoelectronic with neon. It is due to the fact that: