Explain why fluorine is more reactive than chlorine.

There are three things to consider every single time relative reactivity is unknown: atomic radius, shielding, and number of electrons.

The reactivity is the halogens ability to gain an electron, so number of electrons already in the atom plays a vital role.

Chlorine has more electrons so repels a reacting electron with greater force than fluorine, making it less likely to react.

Fluorine also has fewer electron shells than chlorine, so there are fewer electrons between the positive nucleus and the reacting electron to essentially block, or weaken, the electromagnetic attraction. This is shielding.

Lastly, fluorine is a much smaller molecule than chlorine and the shorter distance, or radius, between the nucleus and the electron again makes it more likely to attract the electron and react to gain a noble gas configuration. 

SA
Answered by Steven A. Chemistry tutor

58757 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Please give the definition of Le Chatilier's principle. Use this to explain what would happen if you increased the temperature of an equilibrium in which the forwards reaction is exothermic.


Propane and Chlorine react in the presence of UV light to give 2-chloropropane and HCl. Estimate the enthalpy change of this reaction using the following bond enthaplies (KJ/mol) : C-H=+413, Cl-Cl=+243, C-Cl=+346 and H-Cl=+432.


The lattice enthalpies of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are different. Comment on this difference.


Why is SiO2 a solid whereas CO2 is a gas at room temeperature?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences