Question

Explain why chlorine can be converted into chloride ion more easily as compared to 2 fluoride ion from fluorine.

Answer 1

Due to very small size of F, it can not gain another electron so easily and there will be increased electronic repulsions.
Cl being larger than F, can accommodate another electron more easily.

We know that atomic size of Flourine is smaller than chlorine.

⟶ Flourine already has 7 electrons in valence shell. Therefore if we will add one more electron, electrons present in the valence shell will repel that incoming electron because of the smaller size and high electron density.

Chlorine is larger in size and have 7 electrons in valence shell. Therefore it has less electron density and there will be less electron repulsions.

Therefore, because of small size, high electron density and increased electron repulsion, addition of an electron is less favourable in case of Flourine than Chlorine.