Why is Fluorine more reactive than Chlorine?
October 20th, 2008
Chemistry Tutor Site-Homework Help
Why does reactivity decrease as you descend the column of Halogens?Study case why is Fluorine more reactive than Chlorine?
Chemistry Tutor Site-Answer
The exact answer to you question is: the general reactivity of halogens (to form ionic compounds) decreases down the group.
when those elements goes down the group, the number of filled electron shells increases. due to the screening effect, the attraction between the nucleus and the coming electron (donated by the cation, eg, Na donates an electron to Br, forming Na+ and Br-) is reduced down the group.
since electrons are less easy to be accepted by the halogen atoms, the tendency for the atoms to form ions decreases down the group. therefore the reactivity decreases down the group.
As the atomic structure of the halogens becomes more complex with increasing atomic weight there is a gradiation in physical properties. For example: Fluorine is a pale green gas of low density. Chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas 1.892 times as dense as fluorine. Bromine is a deep reddish-brown liquid which is three times as dense as water. Iodine is a grayish-black crystalline solid with a metallic appearance. And astatine is a solid with properties which indicate that it is somewhat metallic in character.
Properties
The halogens show a number of trends when moving down the group - for instance, decreasing electronegativity and reactivity, increasing melting and boiling point. Not all halogens react with the same intensity. Fluorine is actually the most reactive and combines all of the time. As you move down the column, reactivity decreases.
Entry Filed under: Atomic Structure
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