Question

Fluorine is the oxidizing agent because it has:
A. highest electron affinity
B. highest reduction potential
C. highest oxidation potential
D. lowest electron affinity.

Answer 1

Hint: An oxidizing agent ejects electrons from other atoms in oxidation-reduction reactions. They are also called electron gainers. Electron affinity is the energy that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom in the gaseous state to form a negative ion.

Complete step by step answer:
Oxidation is a loss of electrons. It is also defined as gain of oxygen. Those species which have the ability to oxidize the other chemical reagent or get away from electrons. Oxidizing agents accept electrons and are reduced. Oxidizing agents have a low oxidation state because they oxidize other substances and reduce itself.
Electron affinity is the energy change accompanying the addition of one mole of electrons to one mole of gaseous ions or atoms. In most cases, energy is released when an electron is added because it is attracted to the positive charge in the nucleus. It depends upon nuclear charge and atomic size. It increases on moving left to right in a period. It decreases on moving down the group.
Fluorine is the most electronegative metal. It has a very strong pull of electrons. Strongest oxidizing agents have the most positive reduction potentials. It has the maximum tendency to get reduced to fluoride ions. It has more power to gain electrons since it has very high electronegativity. Since it has very high electronegativity, the valence electrons are more bound to the nucleus. Thus gaining electrons is very easy.
Thus, the option C is correct.

Additional information:
Elements with low reduction potential or high oxidation potential are very strong oxidizing agents. They have the ability to gain electrons.

Note:
Fluorine has high electron affinity. Also it has a high effective nuclear charge. Greater the effective nuclear charge, higher is the amount of energy needed to remove the electrons in the outermost shell. Since the electrons are strongly bonded, it is very difficult to remove, thereby energy is higher.