Question

How do you determine the chemical reactivity for nonmetals by using the periodic table?

Answer 1

You can determine the chemical reactivity of nonmetals by looking at their position on the periodic table and evaluating certain characteristics:

1. Electronegativity: Nonmetals with high electronegativity values tend to be more reactive as they have a greater attraction for electrons, making them more likely to gain electrons in chemical reactions. Fluorine, for example, has the highest electronegativity value and is the most reactive nonmetal.

2. Electron Configuration: Nonmetals with fewer valence electrons are generally more reactive. Elements from group 17 (Group VIIA), known as the halogens, have a full outer shell except for one missing electron, which makes them highly reactive.

3. Noble Gases: Noble gases, found in group 18 (Group VIIIA), have a full outer shell and are highly stable and unreactive. They have the least reactivity among all nonmetals due to their stable electron configuration.

4. Position in Period: Moving across a period from left to right, nonmetals tend to become more reactive as their electron affinity increases. Oxygen, for instance, is more reactive than nitrogen due to its higher electron affinity.

5. Metallic Character: Nonmetals have lower metallic character compared to metals. So, elements with higher nonmetallic character tend to be more reactive. Elements like carbon and nitrogen are more reactive compared to phosphorus and sulfur, for example.

It is important to note that nonmetals can have different reactivity with different elements and in different types of reactions, so this is a general guideline and not an absolute rule.