Why Does Reactivity Differ in Group 7?

AI Thread Summary
In chemistry, reactivity refers to how readily an element undergoes a chemical reaction, which often involves gaining or losing electrons. For most groups in the periodic table, reactivity increases down the group due to increased electron shielding, which makes it easier for atoms to lose or gain electrons. However, Group 7, the halogens, exhibits a unique trend where reactivity decreases down the group. This is attributed to the increasing atomic size and electron shielding, which makes it harder for larger atoms to attract additional electrons needed for bonding. In Group 7, elements typically react by gaining an electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. Understanding these trends is crucial for grasping the behavior of elements in different groups of the periodic table.
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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
What is meant by “reactivity”?
 
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?
 

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