list four properties shared by the halogens
1. All halogens have seven electrons in their outermost shell.
2. They are highly reactive and tend to form compounds with other elements.
3. Halogens have a negative oxidation state of -1.
4. They exist in all three states of matter at room temperature: fluorine and chlorine are gases, bromine is a liquid, and iodine is a solid.
Four properties shared by the halogens are:
1. High Electronegativity: Halogens have a high electronegativity which means they have a strong tendency to attract electrons towards themselves when forming chemical bonds.
2. High Reactivity: Halogens are highly reactive elements and readily form compounds with other elements. They require only one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, so they often gain an electron from other elements, making them powerful oxidizing agents.
3. Low Boiling Points: Halogens have relatively low boiling points compared to other elements. This is because the intermolecular forces between halogen atoms are weaker compared to the covalent bonds within the halogen molecule.
4. Diatomic Nature: Halogens exist as diatomic molecules in their natural state (except for astatine, which is too rare). This means that halogens are found as pairs of atoms bonded together, such as Cl2, Br2, and I2.