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This has to do with the number of electrons in the outer shell of the element. Simply put, each element has a certain number of electrons, equal to their atomic number on the Periodic Table. These electrons are found in "shells," and ideally, the outer shell has 8 electrons in it. If it does not, the element will bond with another element, giving or receiving electrons so that the element has a completed outer shell (8 electrons).
The halogens all have an outer shell of 7 electrons. They are only one short of a completed outer shell, and therefore it is very easy and desirable for them to pick up an electron from another element, forming a compound and giving them a full, stable outer shell. For example, in the case of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium has only 1 electron in its outer shell (called a valence electron), while chlorine has 7. It is very easy for sodium to lose that one electron to chlorine, completing chlorine's outer shell and creating a very stable compound.
Because halogens so readily attract electrons to form compounds and are so much more stable as compounds than as elements, they are very rarely found not in compound form.
What else can I help you with?
Why do halogens form ionic compounds with metals?
Halogens have a high electronegativity and metals have a low electronegativity in general. Therefore, metals tend to give up their valence electrons to the halogens. This causes the halogens to form negatively charged ions and the metals to become positively charged ions. The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond which forms the ionic compound.
How do halogens react with air?
Halogens react with air to form metal halides. For example, chlorine will react with iron to form iron(III) chloride. Halogens are highly reactive and will readily form compounds with many elements in the air.
Do less reactive halogens displace more reactive ones?
No. More reactive halogens will replace less reactive ones in a compound. This is because a more reactive halogen is more stable in a compound relative to a less reactive one, while a less reactive halogen is relatively more stable in its elemental form.
Halogens are only found in nature as what?
Halogens are found in nature primarily as salts, such as sodium chloride (table salt) or potassium iodide. They are highly reactive nonmetals that readily form ionic bonds with metals to create mineral salts.
Elements from which two groups in the periodic table would most likely combine with each other to form an ionic compound?
An element from group 1 (alkali metals) and an element from group 17 (halogens) are most likely to combine to form an ionic compound. For example, sodium (Na) from group 1 can combine with chlorine (Cl) from group 17 to form sodium chloride (NaCl).
Do halogens form diatomic molecules?
Yes, halogens form diatomic molecules.
Why are halogens known as salts?
Halogens are not salts but they are chemical elements; halogens can form salts reacting with metals.
How do you determine which halogen has an anion with 36 electrons?
There is no halogen that will become anionic. All of the valence electrons in halogens are filled, thus halogens will not react with any other compound or element. Bromine is an element that will form and anion with 36 electrons.
What are two prperties of the halogens?
They have low melting and boiling points which increases down the group. They form diatomic molecules They form simple ions with -1 charge They react with hydrogen to form acidic compound
Which element is commonly a compound with polonium?
Oxygen, Hydrogen, halogens
What charge do the halogens form?
When halogens form ions, they are called halide ions. These types of ions have a negative charge due to gaining electrons.
How do the chemical properties of the alkali metals and halogens that react to form them?
Alkali metals, like sodium and potassium, have one valence electron and readily lose it to form a +1 cation. Halogens, like chlorine and fluorine, have seven valence electrons and readily gain one electron to form a -1 anion. When alkali metals react with halogens, the alkali metal donates its electron to the halogen, forming an ionic compound.
Are hydrogen and the halogens the only elements that can form diatomic molecules joined by a single covalent bond?
yes
What allows halogens to form salts?
Halogens are highly reactive chemical elements.
Which properties do the halogens have in common?
All halogens are very reactive chemical elements anf form anions.
Why do halogens form ionic compounds with metals?
Halogens have a high electronegativity and metals have a low electronegativity in general. Therefore, metals tend to give up their valence electrons to the halogens. This causes the halogens to form negatively charged ions and the metals to become positively charged ions. The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond which forms the ionic compound.
How do halogens react with air?
Halogens react with air to form metal halides. For example, chlorine will react with iron to form iron(III) chloride. Halogens are highly reactive and will readily form compounds with many elements in the air.
