That group is the halogens: F, Cl, Br, I, At, and Ts (Ts is one of the last elements discovered).
Those elements have 7 valence electrons (notice that it is the same number as the second digit in 17).
The atoms with 7 valence electrons will "easily" gain one electron to get the configuration of the next noble gas (8 valence electrons). That is why these elements gain electrons to form ions.
When atoms gain electrons form anions (negative ions). For example: F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), I(-).
