Question

Why halogens are so reactive?

Answer 1

Halogens:

• Halogens belong to group $17$ of the periodic table.
• Halogens are extremely reactive and they form bonds with other elements easily.

Halogens are highly reactive as:

• Halogen has the general electronic configuration ${\mathrm{ns}}^2{\mathrm{np}}^5$ so its outer shell contains seven electrons.
• As halogens need only one electron so it readily acquires an electron from other elements to attain a stable noble gas configuration.
• So, they are extremely reactive, and to fill their outermost shell, they readily accept an electron.