In group 17 of the periodic table, fluorine is more reactive than chlorine, and chlorine is less reactive than fluorine. Give reasons.

In group 17 of the periodic table, fluorine is more reactive than chlo

1.	In group 17 of the periodic table, fluorine is more reactive than chlorine, and chlorine is less reactive than fluorine. Give reasons.
Answer» Solution :(i) The valence shell of fluorine (F = 2, 7) is L-shell (n = 2). Its atomic radius is small. It has a greater tendency to gain one ELECTRON in its valence shell. Therefore, fluorine is more reactive than CHLORINE. (ii) The valence shell of chlorine (Cl = 2, 8, 7) is M-shell (n = 3). Its radius is large. Its tendency to gain an electron is small as COMPARED to fluorine. Therefore, chlorine is less reactive than fluorine.