Explain why fluorine is reactive

  • Fluorine is a halogen, these group 7 elements are reactive because they require just 1 additional electron to achieve a noble configuration. 

  • Fluorine is the smallest halogen, and so its outer electrons are closer to the charge dense nucleus, making it easier for the nucleus to attract electrons to it.

  • Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table, meaning it has a strong tendency to draw electrons towards it (hence it is able to form compounds with most other elements)

GL
Answered by George L. Chemistry tutor

4874 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why water molecules form on average two hydrogen bonds per molecule, whereas ammonia molecules (NH3) form only one.


Draw and label a tetrahedral shape


Phosphorus(III) chloride molecules are pyramidal with a bond angle less than 109.5°. Explain why a phosphorus(III) chloride molecule has this shape and bond angle.


The following equilibrium is set up in a glass syringe. 2(NO2) (brown gas) ‹-› N2O4 (colourless gas) ∆H = -58 kJmol-1. Using le Chatelier's principle, predict and explain how heating up the mixture would affect it's appearance.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning