Question

25 chlorine has an electronegativity of 3.16. fluorine has an electronegativity of 3.98. predict which element is more reactive with water. justify your prediction.

Explanation:

Step1: Understand electronegativity and reactivity

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons. Fluorine has a higher electronegativity ($3.98$) than chlorine ($3.16$). In reactions with water, more electronegative non - metals can displace less electronegative ones.

Step2: Analyze the reaction tendency

Fluorine is more electronegative, so it has a stronger tendency to gain electrons. When reacting with water, fluorine will react more vigorously. The reaction of fluorine with water is \(2F_{2}+2H_{2}O = 4HF + O_{2}\), while chlorine reacts with water as \(Cl_{2}+H_{2}O=HCl + HClO\) and the reaction of chlorine with water is less vigorous.

Answer:

Fluorine is more reactive with water. Because fluorine has a higher electronegativity than chlorine. Fluorine has a stronger tendency to gain electrons. The reaction of fluorine with water \(2F_{2}+2H_{2}O = 4HF+O_{2}\) is more vigorous than the reaction of chlorine with water \(Cl_{2}+H_{2}O = HCl + HClO\).