Question -
Answer -
Fluorine is a much strongeroxidizing agent than chlorine. The oxidizing power depends on three factors.
1. Bond dissociationenergy
2. Electrongain enthalpy
3. Hydrationenthalpy
The electron gain enthalpy ofchlorine is more negative than that of fluorine. However, the bond dissociationenergy of fluorine is much lesser than that of chlorine. Also, because of its smallsize, the hydration energy of fluorine is much higher than that of chlorine.Therefore, the latter two factors more than compensate for the less negativeelectron gain enthalpy of fluorine. Thus, fluorine is a much stronger oxidizingagent than chlorine.