Question

The strongest oxidising agent amongst $F_{2}, C l_{2} , B r_{2}$ and $I_{2}$ is

• A. $ F_{2} $
• B. $ I_{2}$
• C. $ Cl_{2} $
• D. $ Br_{2} $

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Since all the halogens have strong tendency to accept electrons, they act as strong oxidising agent.
$F_{2}+2 e^{-} \rightarrow 2 F^{-} ; \,\,\, E^{o}=+2.87 \,V $
$ C l_{2}+2 e^{-} \rightarrow 2 C l^{-} ; \,\,\, E^{o}=+1.36\, V $
$B r_{2}+2 e^{-} \rightarrow 2 B r^{-} ; \,\,\, E^{o}=+1.09 \,V$
$I_{2}+2 e^{-} \rightarrow 2 I^{-} ; \,\,\, E^{o}=+0.54\, V$
The electrode potential of $F$; is the maximum while that of $ I_{2} $ is the minimum.
So, $ F_{2}$ is the strongest oxidising agent while $ I_{2} $ is the weakest oxidising agent.