Halogens

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION OF HALOGENS

Halogens are found in group (viii) of the periodic table and consist of fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I) and Astatine (At),.

The name halogen is of Greek origin meaning salt formers because they readily form salts from metals. Halogens are very reactive non- metals with remarkable similarities in properties. This is because each halogen atom has seven only one electron to attain the octet. They are strong oxidizing agents with varying oxidation Numbers. The halogens are highly electro negative elements. The halogens share electrons to form covalent compounds or accept electrons to form ionic compounds. It is the electronic configuration of halogens that accounts for their electronegative nature, oxidising ability and the fact that they form mainly single covalent bonds.

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION AND SOME PROPERTIES OF THE HALOGENS AND GRADATION OF THE PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE HALOGENS

EVALUATION

1. What is the atomic number of chlorine?
2. With the knowledge of atomic number, draw the electronic configuration of chlorine.
3. What is the colour of chlorine gas?

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND GRADATION DOWN THE GROUP

The chemical reactivity of the halogens decreases down the group from fluorine to iodine.