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Each element has unique chemical and physical properties and because of this elements vary in how reactive they are. They differ in how easily they combine with other elements that they come into contact with (forming compounds like water, mineral ores, salt, etc).

Where you find elements in a pure form, uncombined with other elements, you will either notice that one or more of the following are true:

  • The element has very low chemical reactivity and does not readily combine with other elements. Examples include gold, the noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon), group 10 elements (nickel, palladium, and platinum).
  • In extreme conditions or the in remnants of extreme conditions. Elements combining together to form compounds is like a rock rolling down hill, energy is lost the further it rolls down (and as a consequence more and more energy would be required to roll it back up to the top of the hill where it started). For example when iron combines with oxygen (rust) a small amount of heat is released. To turn the rust back into iron you'd need to apply heat (smelting). For this reason as time goes by, we see far more elements combine together than we see split apart and after billions of years you have what we see now, a planetary crust mostly composed of compounds, pure not elements. But places where conditions are extreme (either very hot which supplies the energy to reduce compounds, or very cold where chemical reactions are much slower such as outerspace) you are more likely to find elements in their pure form. You can also find them in places that were extreme at one time, such as kimberlite pipes where there was once a volcano and you can find diamonds (pure carbon).
  • Man-made (synthetic) elements do not normally occur in quantity in nature (on Earth), so they are found neither in pure nor combined forms. Over geologic time, the reason these elements aren't found is because they are unstable and decay into simpler elements, often over a time scale of seconds or less. There are a few unstable elements that are found in nature though, such as uranium and radon (their half-lives are reasonably long, for example 68 years for uranium) .
  • Lastly you may also find pure form elements in environments where there simply isn't enough reagent for them to immediately form compounds with. Especially when biological or geological processes regularly produce more of the free element, such as with plants and oxygen. For example ocean water usually free oxygen dissolved in it, but in an algal bloom enough reactant is provided by decaying algae to consume almost all available oxygen. This creates a dead zone where for a short period few organisms can survive.

In layman's terms you could think of the elements as having personalities, some elements are very gregarious and outgoing, easily making friends with almost anyone they meet. Most are more guarded, and while certainly willing to make friends, are more selective about who they befriend. While a few are quite antisocial and almost never make friends (and only under extreme circumstances). You could look at those personalities and make predictions about how many friends each will have. Low reactivity elements are like the last group, much more likely to be found all by themselves while the rest will be found with their friends.

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Why halogens are not found in free state?

Halogens are highly reactive elements that readily form compounds with other elements. Their high reactivity prevents them from existing in a free state in nature. Instead, halogens like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are commonly found in nature as part of compounds such as salts or minerals.


Which metals occurs in a free state?

Only a few metals are found in the free state, generally metals react to form for example oxides, sulfides which then may further react. Some found free are gold silver copper and platinum. All of these are relatively unreactive


What is phosphorus not found on free state in nature but is contained mostly in?

Phosphorus is not found in its free state in nature but is mostly contained in phosphate minerals, which are the main sources of phosphorus used for fertilizers. Additionally, phosphorus can also be found in biological organisms like plants and animals.


Which of the following groups in the periodic table contain elements so reactive that they are never found in the free state?

Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 17 (halogens) in the periodic table contain elements that are highly reactive and are never found in their free state in nature. Alkali metals readily react with water or air, while halogens are highly reactive nonmetals that form compounds with other elements quickly.


Why sodium not occur free state in nature?

Sodium is a highly reactive metal that easily forms compounds with other elements due to its tendency to lose an electron to achieve stability. This reactivity prevents sodium from existing in its pure form in nature. It is usually found combined with other elements, such as chloride in salt (sodium chloride).

Related Questions

Why most elements not found in the free state in nature?

Most elements are sufficiently reactive so it can not exist in elemental form.


Element never found in its free state?

Fluorine is an element that is never found in its free state in nature due to its high reactivity, forming compounds with other elements very quickly.


What groups of elements is most likely to contain elements that will be found free in nature?

The noble gases.


Which of the flowing metals occurs in a free state?

Gold is the metal that occurs in a free state in nature. It is usually found in its pure form, uncombined with other elements, making it easily recognizable and highly valued.


Why are most element not found in free state in nature?

most elements have partly filled orbitals (or shells) and they try to gain, lose or share electrons so as to satisfy octet rule. Hence they are reactive and not generally found in free state


Why halogens are not found in free state?

Halogens are highly reactive elements that readily form compounds with other elements. Their high reactivity prevents them from existing in a free state in nature. Instead, halogens like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are commonly found in nature as part of compounds such as salts or minerals.


What group of elements is most likely to contain elements that will be found free in nature?

The noble gases.


Which of the elements exists as free metal in nature?

Examples of elements that exist as free metal in nature include gold, silver, and copper. These elements are often found in their metallic form in the Earth's crust and are relatively unreactive.


Which metals occurs in a free state?

Only a few metals are found in the free state, generally metals react to form for example oxides, sulfides which then may further react. Some found free are gold silver copper and platinum. All of these are relatively unreactive


Did halogens frequently occur in nature as free elements?

Yes, the halogens did occur in nature as free elements.


What 3 metals are found in nature in free state?

iron,silver,and gold


Why do metals at the top of the activity series never found in the nature as free elements?

because they are too reactive to exist on their own, they bond with other elements in nature to satisfy their need for electrons