Reactivity in Different Groups

  • #1
Biele
1
0
TL;DR Summary
why does group 7 go down in reactivity even though electron shielding still increases further down the group which is the same as the other groups
ik this is basic knowledge, that all groups go up in reactivity the further down you go in the group, except for group 7, where this is reversed.

however i don't understand why, because in group 7, the electron shielding still increases the further down the group you go, like with all the other groups and usually more electron shielding = increased reactivity. so can someone explain why this is different in group 7? sorry I'm really trying to understand chemistry as best I can.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
  • #2
What is meant by “reactivity”?
 
  • #3
Which groups react by gaining an electron and which react by loosing an electron?
Then ask yourself:
Will it be easier or harder as you go down a group to do this?
 

What is reactivity in chemical groups?

Reactivity in chemical groups refers to the tendency of atoms or molecules within a specific group on the periodic table to undergo chemical reactions. This reactivity is influenced by factors such as electron configuration, electronegativity, atomic size, and the presence of vacant orbitals, which can affect how easily an atom can gain, lose, or share electrons.

How does reactivity vary across the periodic table?

Reactivity varies significantly across the periodic table. For example, alkali metals in group 1 are highly reactive due to their single valence electron, which they can easily lose to form cations. In contrast, noble gases in group 18 are very unreactive because they have full valence shells, making them stable and less likely to participate in chemical reactions. Reactivity can generally be seen increasing down a group and decreasing across a period from left to right.

Why are halogens highly reactive?

Halogens are highly reactive due to their electron configuration. They have seven electrons in their outer shell and need only one more to achieve a stable octet configuration. This drives them to readily accept electrons from other elements or to share electrons via covalent bonding, making them extremely reactive, especially with alkali and alkaline earth metals.

What factors influence the reactivity of metals?

The reactivity of metals is primarily influenced by their ability to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations). Factors affecting this ability include the ionization energy (the energy required to remove an electron), the atomic radius (larger atoms can lose electrons more easily), and the shielding effect (inner electrons can shield outer electrons from the nucleus' pull). Generally, these factors decrease down a group, making metals more reactive as you move down.

How does reactivity affect chemical bonding?

Reactivity plays a crucial role in determining the type and strength of chemical bonds that elements can form. Highly reactive elements, such as those in groups 1 and 17, tend to form ionic bonds where electrons are transferred between atoms. Less reactive elements might form covalent bonds through the sharing of electrons. The nature of these bonds affects the properties of the resulting compounds, such as melting and boiling points, electrical conductivity, and solubility.

Similar threads

What's the chemistry behind a semiconductor?
    • Chemistry
Replies
8
Views
993
Explanation of the spectrochemical series of transition metal ions
    • Chemistry
Replies
6
Views
4K
Want to pursue chemistry but don't like structures
    • Chemistry
Replies
2
Views
1K
AC Drift Velocity: Understand Reactive Power & Movement of Electrons
    • Electrical Engineering
Replies
11
Views
1K
Understanding Periodic Table Trends
    • Chemistry
Replies
3
Views
8K
Memorizing VSEPR Structures: A Simple Method for Success
    • Chemistry
Replies
3
Views
42K
Periodic trends and effective nuclear charge
    • Chemistry
Replies
1
Views
1K
B Are electrons in atoms always in eigenstates?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
1K
I Why does the arrangement of the Periodic Table make no sense?
    • Classical Physics
Replies
2
Views
945
A Structure of modulo-integer matrix group GL(r,Z(n))?
    • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
17
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top