Question

What are some examples of halogens?

Answer 1

Group 17 of the periodic table contains 5 elements that are known as halogens. The halogen group contains fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. These are all highly reactive nonmetals and possess seven electrons in the outermost shell.

Complete answer:
Halogen word is made up of Greek roots hal- (salt) and -gen (to produce) as they produce sodium salts of similar properties. Halogens are highly reactive non-metals that constitute group-17 of the periodic table.
There are a total of 5 halogens in the periodic table as of now – fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. These are so reactive that they are not found in the free state. They exist as combined diatomic molecules at room temperature and pressure.
The high reactivity of halogens is attributed to their high electronegative nature. The halogen atoms possess seven valence electrons in their outermost electron shell. So a halogen atom could hold one more electron which would give the resulting halide in the same configuration as that of the noble gas next to it in the periodic table. These electron configurations are exceptionally stable and this pronounced tendency of the halogens to acquire an additional electron makes them strong oxidizing agents.
So, fluorine and chlorine can be considered as examples of halogens.

Additional information:
Chlorine is widely used as a water-purification agent, and is also present in table salt that is sodium chloride. Fluorides are chiefly used to prevent tooth decay, and organic fluorides are also used as refrigerants and lubricants. Iodine is most frequently used as an antiseptic, and bromine as bromine compounds are used in flame retardants.

Note:
Due to the small size, high electronegativity, low F-F bond dissociation enthalpy, and unavailability of d-orbital, fluorine shows anomalous behavior than the rest of the group 17 elements. It is also why fluorine is the most reactive among halogens.