Final answer:
The chloride ion is a stronger base than the fluoride ion due to its larger size and weaker electrostatic forces of attraction with hydrogen ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true.
The chloride ion (Cl-) is a stronger base than the fluoride ion (F-). This is because the chloride ion is larger in size compared to the fluoride ion, which means it can more effectively accommodate a negative charge. The larger size also leads to weaker electrostatic forces of attraction between the chloride ion and hydrogen ions, making it easier for the chloride ion to accept an H+ ion and act as a base.
For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a stronger acid than hydrofluoric acid (HF) because the Cl- ion is a stronger conjugate base compared to the F- ion. In an acid-base reaction, the stronger base (in this case, the chloride ion) will react with the H+ ion from the stronger acid (in this case, HCl).