How we can add electron to atom if it is too small?

Wouldn't the added electron hit the atom and appear in one of the p-orbital?

Question: Your young cousin is fascinated by things that are really, really big, or really, really small, so she asks you to tell her what atoms are like. Describe for her the different things inside an atom, where they are, and what they are like. this...

Effective nuclear charge of an atom is more when the atom is small in size which means an electron can easily be added to that atom. Then why is electron affinity more i.e., if the nuclear charge is more, then less amnt. of energy is required to add...

The following question was asked on Y! Answers by Ben O. "A hydrogen atom is initially at rest (approximately), in an excited state of unknown quantum number n. The electron drops to the next lower energy level emitting a photon. Estimate the largest...

Shouldn't it be positive meaning it requires energy to add an electron to the atom? Doesnt the added electron destabilize the atom because the added electron would repell the electron in the s-orbital? Please explain in details as possible.

I have problems with understanding why neutral atoms of Chalcogen or Alkali metals would emitt photons/energy when you add an electron to them. Can somebody explain in simple details why adding an electron to an neutral atom would emitt energy and were...