Flourine is a stronger oxidising agent than chlorine because : (a) F-F bond has a low enthalpy of dissociation. (b) Flouride ion ( F ⁻ ) has high hydration enthalpy (c) Electron gain enthalpy of flourine is less negative than chlorine. (d) Flourine has a very small size. Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given :

Step-by-step solution

Even though fluorine has lower electron gain enthalpy than chlorine, it is a strong oxidising agent. The correct reason that can be attributed for this behaviour is: (i) Small size of fluorine, makes it suitable for its high hydration enthalpy. (ii) The bond dissociation enthalpy of fluorine is lower than chlorine due to high lone pair lone pair repulsion.