Question

Given below are the electronic configurations of some elements:

(a) 2,8,3

(b) 2,8,18,5

(c) 2,8,7

(d) 2,8,18,8,1

(e) 2,8,2

(f) 2,5

(g) 2,8,18,8

Answer the following:

(e) which is a halogen?

Answer 1

The halogen in given electronic configurations is:

1. The halogens belong to the VIIA group. They are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.
2. They have a total of 7 electrons in their outermost shell. They are only 1 electron short from attaining noble gas configuration.
3. They are highly electronegative as they gain one electron very easily and attain a noble gas configuration.
4. The element having electronic configuration of 2, 8, 7 is halogen as it has seven valence electrons