Question

Compare the properties of the halogens, group 17 with the alkali metal family group1>

Answer 1

Answer:

Halogens are the compounds found in group 17 of the periodic table. They are all incredibly electronegative, meaning that they are very willing to take electrons from other atoms. Fluorine, for example, is the only element that can take electrons away from oxygen.

Alkali metals, on the other hand, are just the opposite: Their electronegativity is very low, meaning that they are very willing to give away electrons. These metals react with pretty much everything else to form salts.

Both groups are highly reactive. They can react with each other, giving a lot of useful salts like sodium chloride. But they also happily react with other compounds to yield all kinds of stuff, usually salts (In fact, halogen means “salt-creating”).