Question

Which halogen has the highest first ionization energy?

a) iodine
b) bromine
c) chlorine
d) fluorine

Answer 1

Fluorine has the highest first ionization energy among the halogens, a property that correlates with its position in the periodic table and its high electronegativity making it a strong oxidizing agent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The halogen with the highest first ionization energy is fluorine. Ionization energy is defined as the energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom, and according to periodic trends, ionization energy increases across a period from left to right and decreases down a group in the periodic table. Since fluorine is located at the top of the halogen group (Group 17) and is the most electronegative element, it exhibits the highest first ionization energy among the halogens.

Due to its high electronegativity, fluorine is a very strong oxidizing agent. It is capable of oxidizing iodine to its maximum oxidation state, 7+, indicating that fluorine's chemical reactivity is the highest among the halogens. Furthermore, this property also explains that fluoride is the most difficult halide to oxidize, while iodide ions are the easiest based on their position in the periodic table.

Answer 2

The correct answer is:

d) fluorine

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. As you move across a period (from left to right) in the periodic table, the ionization energy generally increases. Fluorine is the halogen located farthest to the right in the periodic table, so it has the highest first ionization energy among the halogens listed.