Electrochemical Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide to Success!

Question: 1 / 400

Why does fluorine readily react with water?

Fluorine is less electronegative than oxygen

Fluorine acts as a reducing agent

It has a higher standard electrode potential than oxygen

Fluorine readily reacts with water primarily due to its high standard electrode potential. This property indicates that fluorine has a strong tendency to gain electrons and undergo reduction reactions. The high electronegativity of fluorine, alongside its position at the top of the halogen group, contributes significantly to its reactivity.

When fluorine interacts with water, it can effectively oxidize water to form oxygen and hydrogen fluoride. The standard electrode potential reflects fluorine's ability to drive this reaction forward, making it a more energetically favorable process compared to reactions involving less electronegative elements or those with lower standard electrode potentials. The fundamental chemistry of fluorine illustrates its high reactivity, especially with substances like water, which can serve as a medium for its aggressive oxidative potential.

Other options highlight different properties or characteristics of fluorine, but they do not directly account for its reactivity with water in the same manner as the standard electrode potential does.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

Fluorine is stable at high temperatures

Next Question

Report this question

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy