Which group is characterized by a tendency to form salts with metals?

Which group is characterized by a tendency to form salts with metals?

• A. Alkali metals
• B. Halogens
• C. Noble gases
• D. Transition metals

Answer: (B)

The group characterized by a tendency to form salts with metals is the halogens. Halogens, which include elements such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, are known for their high reactivity, particularly with alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. When halogens react with these metals, they tend to gain an electron and form ionic compounds known as salts. For example, when sodium (an alkali metal) reacts with chlorine (a halogen), they form sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt. This ability to form salts is due to the halogens' electronic configuration, as they have seven valence electrons and require one more electron to achieve a stable octet, leading to the formation of negatively charged ions (anions). This ionic bonding with metals, which lose electrons to form positively charged ions (cations), results in the formation of various salts. In contrast, alkali metals primarily form salts when they react with nonmetals and are very reactive themselves; noble gases are largely inert and do not readily form compounds, including salts; and transition metals typically form complex ions and coordination compounds rather than simple salts with halogens. This unique property is what distinctly characterizes halogens

The group characterized by a tendency to form salts with metals is the halogens. Halogens, which include elements such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, are known for their high reactivity, particularly with alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. When halogens react with these metals, they tend to gain an electron and form ionic compounds known as salts.

For example, when sodium (an alkali metal) reacts with chlorine (a halogen), they form sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt. This ability to form salts is due to the halogens' electronic configuration, as they have seven valence electrons and require one more electron to achieve a stable octet, leading to the formation of negatively charged ions (anions). This ionic bonding with metals, which lose electrons to form positively charged ions (cations), results in the formation of various salts.

In contrast, alkali metals primarily form salts when they react with nonmetals and are very reactive themselves; noble gases are largely inert and do not readily form compounds, including salts; and transition metals typically form complex ions and coordination compounds rather than simple salts with halogens. This unique property is what distinctly characterizes halogens