Hydrogen resembles halogens in many respects for which several factors are responsible. Of the following factors which one is most important in this respect? (i) Its tendency to lose an electron to form a cation. (ii) Its tendency to gain a single electron in its valence shell to attain stable electronic configuration. (iii) Its low negative electron gain enthalpy value. (iv) Its small size.
Solution:
Option (ii) is the answer.
Hydrogen, like halogens, prefers to gain an electron to achieve a stable noble gas structure. Hydrogen’s electrical configuration is 1s. The electrical configuration of helium, a noble gas, requires one additional electron. A stable electrical arrangement of a noble gas requires one additional electron in halogen.
