Question

The oxidising power of elements increases on moving from left to right along a period in the periodic table. Give reason

Answer 1

Definition of oxidising agents

Any substance which is capable of oxidising other substances is called oxidising agents. Oxidising agents are capable of accepting or gaining electrons lost during oxidation

• From left to right across a period, the atomic size decreases and nuclear charge increases.
• Hence the force of attraction between the nucleus and the valence electrons increases.
• Thus the incoming electron can hold easily.
• Hence oxidising power of elements increase from left to right in a periodic table