![]() Note that there is no clear division between metallic and non-metallic character. Fluorine gas reacts explosively with many other elements and compounds, and is considered to be one of the most dangerous known substances. It is not found in nature as a free element. Since the noble gases are a special group because of their lack of reactivity, the element fluorine is the most reactive nonmetal. The most reactive nonmetals reside in the upper right portion of the periodic table. ![]() Nonmetals tend to gain electrons in chemical reactions, and have a high attraction for electrons within a compound. Thus, these electrons can be lost easily by the element to form positive ions. In addition, the atomic radius increases going down a group, placing the outer electrons further away from the nucleus and making that electron less attracted by the nucleus. Why reactivity of metals increase down group Down the group, the effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons is decreasing because the outermost electrons are far away from the nucleus. Since the ionization energy decreases going down a group (or increases going up a group), the increased ability for metals lower in a group to lose electrons makes them more reactive. Therefore, the attraction between the nucleus and the last electron gets weaker. ![]() The bigger the atom, the further away the last electron. Reactivity increases down group 1 but up group 7. Why do metals become more reactive as you move down the periodic table As we go down the group, the atom gets bigger. The metallic character increases as you go down a group. Group 1 contains reactive metals, group 7 contains reactive non-metals and group 0 contains unreactive non-metals. But, reactivity decreases when moving from left to right along a period. Reactivity of metals is based on processes such as the formation of halide compounds with halogens, and how easily the element displaces hydrogen from dilute acids. For metals, the reactivity increases down a group. (Credit: User:Mirek2/Wikimedia Commons Source: Commons Wikimedia, Periodic Trends(opens in new window) License: Public Domain)
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