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The electron configuration is why they react.

The Alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell and to complete their outer shell need 7 more electrons. They can give, take or share electrons with other atoms.

This is when the Halogens come in handy. The Halogens have 7 electrons in their outer shells, and need one more to complete the outer shell.

These can react very easily because they have both the perfect amounts to fill their outer shells and become compounds. Other atoms with other amounts to become atoms not ions needs another element to react with.

Hope this helps, Matt.

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16y ago
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16y ago

alkali and alkaline earth metals are very reactive because they only have a few electrons in their outer shells (one or two) so they are always wanting to bond with another atom to create a full outer shell (eight electrons).

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12y ago

The alkali metal and alkaline earth metals are some of the most reactive elements. They have low ionization energies so they easily give up their electrons to the more electronegative elements.

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11y ago

because of their valence shell electronic configuration.

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Q: Why do halogens react so easily with Alkali Metals?
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Why alkali metals are more reactive than alkaline earth metals?

All atoms want to do is make their valence shell full. In alkali metals they have all of their shells completely full except one valence electron. The alkali metals REALLY want to get rid of that electron, so they will react with many elements/compounds to get rid of that electron. In alkaline earth metals they have all of their shells completely full except for two valence electrons. They also want to get rid of those electrons but the alkaline earth metals are not as desperate to do so as the alkali earth metals which make the alkaline much less reactive than the alkali metals.


What are the reactions with alkali metals and water like?

1) Alkali metals are stored in oil to minimise reaction with oxygen or water, it's a physical barrier towards air but the alkali metals still gradually corrode a traces of oxygen and water diffuse through. The reaction of alkali metals with water gets more violent for elements lower in the group e.g. (Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs). Adding them to water will cause an explosion due to the extremely exothermic nature of reaction, and can be rather dangerous and some alkali metals can react violently with just moisture in the air. Most of the alkali metals float on the top of the water, depending on how big the alkali metal is determines the size of the reaction this is because they're less dense that water itself and also during the reaction the alkali metals give of hydrogen gas which is quite flammable. Alkali Metal + Water » Metallic Hydroxide + Hydrogen The francium would be like any other alkali metal, it would be very violent like the other alkali metals.


Is carbon an alkaline earth metal?

Flourine is not a Rare Earth Metal, but rather a Halogen, which is the second column from the right of the periodic table. Halogens react violently with Alkali Metals when heated and form stable compounds, usually salt like. Examples: Lithium + Flourine = Lithium Flouride Sodium + Chlorine = Sodium Chloride (Table salt)


Why do the alkaline earth metals react similarly?

All alkali earth metals have two valence electrons and they all form ions in +II oxidation state.


What are some of the properties shared by alkaline earth metals?

some are easily, all of them react with air which they tarnish quickly. lithium, potassium, rubidium , caesium and francium all ignite when they are placed in water. but overall there is nothing else i can really say from what i know. :-)

Related questions

What two families of elements react easily with each other to form compounds?

Alkali metals and halogens.


Which group of metals do halogens usually bond with offer an explanation?

For example halogens easily react with alkali metals because both are very reactive; compounds are with ionic bonds.


What elements react the best with the alkali metals?

Non metals form ionic bonds with metals. Non metals gain the electrons while metals loose. Alkali metals reacts with halogen family in efficient manner.


What are the 2 most reactive group?

The alkali metals (Group 1) and the halogens (Group 17) are among the most reactive groups on the periodic table. Alkali metals readily react with water, while halogens are highly reactive nonmetals that easily form compounds with other elements.


How do the chemical properties of the alkali metals and halogens that react to form them?

Alkali metals, like sodium and potassium, have one valence electron and readily lose it to form a +1 cation. Halogens, like chlorine and fluorine, have seven valence electrons and readily gain one electron to form a -1 anion. When alkali metals react with halogens, the alkali metal donates its electron to the halogen, forming an ionic compound.


What happens when the alkali metals react with chlorine?

They metals are stored in oil to minimize the reactivity with air. When alkali metals react with air, they quickly tarnish after begin cut, they burn easily.


Do the halogens react with the alkali metals why or why not?

Yes, halogens react with alkali metals to form ionic compounds. This is because alkali metals readily lose an electron to form a cation, while halogens readily gain an electron to form an anion, allowing them to form stable ionic bonds.


What group will react with alkali metals to form ionic bonds?

Halogens, such as chlorine or iodine, will react with alkali metals to form ionic bonds by transferring electrons from the alkali metal to the halogen. This results in the formation of ionic compounds like sodium chloride or potassium iodide.


What charge do alkali metals form when they react with a halogen?

Alkali metals form a +1 charge when they react with halogens. This is because alkali metals easily lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, while halogens readily accept one electron to achieve a stable configuration.


What groups are the very reactive elements from?

The very reactive elements are typically found in Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 17 (halogens) of the periodic table. Alkali metals tend to react violently with water, while halogens are known for their high reactivity and tendency to form salts with metals.


Which group do alkali metals bond with?

Alkali metals typically bond with elements from Group 17, known as the halogens. This is because alkali metals have one electron to donate, while halogens have one electron missing to complete their outer electron shell, creating an opportunity for a strong ionic bond to form between the two groups.


Was the alkali metals are very stable and no react easily with other elements?

No.