Question

How do you determine which oxidizing agent is stronger?

Answer 1

We can find which oxidizing agent is stronger by looking at their electronegativity values and their reduction potential. Oxidizing agent is a substance that removes electrons from other substances, i.e. take electrons for itself thus gaining electrons x get reduced.

Complete step by step answer:
Electronegativity (X), is the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons. It is affected by both its atomic number and distance of its valence electrons from the charged nucleus.
Reduction potential: (EO) is the tendency of a chemical species to get reduced by gaining electrons.
Reduction potential of hydrogen is ‘zero’.
The higher the electronegativity value of an agent means it exerts a higher attraction force. On electrons. The higher the pull the stronger will be the oxidizing agent.
As explained above for electronegativity, same as for reduction potential. More positive the value of reduction potential more will be the ability of element to get reduced or to gain electron, that means higher the potential value of element nor agent stronger will be oxidizing agent.

Note: Fluorine is strongest oxidizing agent of halogens and the halogens are stronger oxidizing agent group that any other in periodic table.
Fluorine is so strong that it will even react with water.
Chlorine is more powerful oxidizing agent than either bromine or iodine but less powerful than fluorine
In short, oxidizing ability decreases down the group.