Group 1 alkali metals react vigorously with Group 7 halogens to form ionic salts.
Four examples of these reactions are shown in the table below.
| Reaction | Word equation |
|---|---|
| W | lithium + chlorine → \rightarrow\,→ lithium chloride |
| X | caesium + iodine → \rightarrow\,→ caesium iodide |
| Y | potassium + bromine → \rightarrow\,→ potassium bromide |
| Z | caesium + fluorine → \rightarrow\,→ caesium fluoride |
Determine, with reference to electronic configurations, shielding, and the electrostatic attraction of the outer shells, which of the reactions (W, X, Y, or Z) is the most vigorous, explaining the reactivity trends down both groups.
