Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store
seo-qna
SearchIcon
banner

The comparatively high boiling point of HF is due to
A. High reactivity of fluorine
B. Small size of hydrogen atom
C. Formation of hydrogen bonds and consequent association
D. High IE of fluorine

Answer
VerifiedVerified
485.4k+ views
Hint: Fluorine is the most electronegative element because it has 5 electrons in its 2P shell. The optimal electron configuration of the 2P orbital contains 6 electrons, so since Fluorine is so close to ideal electron configuration, the electrons are held very tightly to the nucleus.

Step by step answer: Fluorine is the most electronegative element on the periodic table, which means that it is a very strong oxidizing agent and accepts other elements' electrons. Fluorine's atomic electron configuration is\[1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{5}}\]. The high electronegativity of fluorine explains its small radius because the positive protons have a very strong attraction to the negative electrons, holding them closer to the nucleus than the bigger and less electronegative elements.
Due to its reactivity, essential fluorine is never found in nature and no other synthetic component can uproot fluorine from its mixes. Fluorine bonds with practically any component, the two metals and nonmetals, since it is an exceptionally solid oxidizing specialist. It is truly unsteady and receptive since it is so near its optimal electron design. It structures covalent bonds with nonmetals, and since it is the most electronegative component, is continually going to be the component that is decreased.
It can also form a diatomic element with itself(\[{{F}_{2}}\]), or covalent bonds where it oxidizes other halogens (\[ClF,Cl{{F}_{3}},Cl{{F}_{5}}\]). It will react explosively with many elements and compounds such as Hydrogen and water. Elemental Fluorine is moderately basic, which means that when it reacts with water it forms OH−OH−.

 \[3{{F}_{2}}+2{{H}_{2}}O={{O}_{2}}+4HF\]

When combined with Hydrogen, Fluorine forms Hydrofluoric acid (HFHF), which is a weak acid. This acid is very dangerous and when dissociated can cause severe damage to the body because while it may not be painful initially, it passes through tissues quickly and can cause deep burns that interfere with nerve function.
 \[HF+{{H}_{2}}O={{H}_{3}}{{O}^{+}}+{{F}^{-}}\]

Hence, the correct answer is A. High reactivity of fluorine.

Note: Mixes of fluorine are available in fluoridated toothpaste and in numerous metropolitan water frameworks where they help to forestall tooth rot. Also, obviously, fluorocarbons, for example, Teflon have had a significant effect on life in the twentieth century. There are numerous utilizations of fluorine:
Rocket fuels
Polymer and plastics production
teflon and tefzel production
When combined with Oxygen, used as a refrigerator cooler
Hydrofluoric acid used for glass etching
Purify public water supplies
Uranium production
Air conditioning