Question

In what respect is the electronic configuration of hydrogen and halogens similar?

• A. Hydrogen and halogens have one electron in their outermost shell
• B. Hydrogen and halogens have one electron less than noble gas configuration
• C. Hydrogen and halogens can lose one electron
• D. Hydrogen and halogens show noble gas configuration

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Hydrogen and halogens have one electron less than noble gas configuration

Hydrogen has one electron in its only shell. Hence, it needs one more electron to attain stable duplet electronic configuration. On the other hand, halogens have seven electrons in its valence shell. They also need one more electron to attain stable octet configuration. Therefore, they are similar in a way that they have one electron less than noble gas configuration.