Among the following which is the strongest oxidising agent?

Among the following which is the strongest oxidising agent?
  1. $\mathrm{F}_2$
  2. $\mathrm{Br}_2$
  3. $\mathrm{I}_2$
  4. $\mathrm{Cl}_2$

Solution

Key Idea Element having higher tendency to get reduced or to accept an electron, is strong oxidising agent. Fluorine is the most electronegative element because electronegativity decreases on moving down the group. Hence, it gets reduced readily into $\mathrm{F}^{-}$ion and is a strongest oxidising agent.

Asked in: NEET 2009 (Screening)

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