Question
Arrange the following in order of decreasing property indicated:
(a) M—F, M—Cl, M—Brand M— l. (Ionic character)
(b) F2,Cl2,Br2,I2. (reactivity)
Solution
(a) M—F > M—Cl > M—Br > M—I.
(b) F2 > Cl2 > Br2 > I2.
because, as we move down the group: The atoms get larger. The outer shell gets further from the nucleus. The attraction between the nucleus and electrons gets weaker, so an electron is less easily gained.
