The element neon (Ne), which is used in signs, differs from both fluorine (F) and sodium (Na) by one proton each. Sodium, an alk
ali metal, and fluorine, a halogen, are both extremely reactive. In contrast, neon, which is a noble gas, is highly unreactive. Use the
information contained on a periodic table to explain the difference in their chemical
properties.
Atoms generally tend to achieve there octet configuration (i.e have there outermost shell completely filled) and become stable. They do this by participating in chemical bonding (majorly by transferring or sharing electrons). Atoms (of elements) that have very few electrons on there outermost shell (like the group 1 atoms; example is sodium) and atoms that have almost completely filled outermost shell (like the group 7 elements; example is fluorine) are highly reactive because it is easier to lose an electron to become stable and also easier to gain an electron to become stable. However, elements in group zero of the periodic table do not participate in bonding and resist chemical reactions because they have a completely filled outermost shell and are hence stable.
Since, the groups of the periodic table shows the number of electrons in the outermost shell of each member (of a particular group), the chemical properties of each group is usually almost similar.
