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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.
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What elements will not form an acid when combined with hydrogen?
Only halogens form a binary acid with hydrogen.
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.
What elements can form diatomic molecules joined by single covalent bonds?
Only halogens and members of the oxygen group can form diatomic molecules joined by a single covalent bond.
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 combine with most metals to form salts?
Halogens combine with sodium to form salt that we eat.....
What elements will not form an acid when combined with hydrogen?
Only halogens form a binary acid with hydrogen.
What is the ionic compound for barium and bromine?
We know that chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br) are both halogens (Group 17 on the periodic table). As such, they do not form chemical bonds with each other but only mixtures.
Do halogens form diatomic molecules?
Yes, halogens form diatomic molecules.
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.
What elements can form diatomic molecules joined by single covalent bonds?
Only halogens and members of the oxygen group can form diatomic molecules joined by a single covalent bond.
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.
Why are halogens known as salts?
Halogens are not salts but they are chemical elements; halogens can form salts reacting with metals.
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
What occurs when a metal reacts chemically to form a new compound?
A chemical reaction - with oxygen, water, acids, bases, halogens, carbon, hydrogen, etc.
Which element is commonly a compound with polonium?
Oxygen, Hydrogen, halogens
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 combine with most metals to form salts?
Halogens combine with sodium to form salt that we eat.....
