Question

Which property is most important in making fluorine, the strongest oxidising halogen?

• A. Hydration enthalpy
• B. Bond dissociation energy
• C. Ionisation enthalpy
• D. Electron gain enthalpy

Answer 1

The correct option is A Hydration enthalpy

$\frac{1}{2}{F}_2+e^{-}+aq.\to F^{-}\left(aq\right),$

$\Delta H=\underset{(+ve)}{H_{Gibbs}}+\underset{Hydrogenenthalpy}{\underset{(-ve)}{H_{Elec.gain}}+\underset{(-ve)}{H_{hyd}}}=-ve$

Since the heat of hydration for fluorine is very high and $-$ve. (due to small size)

The overall reaction is highly exothermic and therefore fluorine shows strongest oxidizing nature.

Hence, option $A$ is correct.