Which of these is the most reactive non-metal?
Phosphorus
Sulphur
Oxygen
Iron
The correct answer and explanation is:
The most reactive non-metal from the given list is oxygen.
Oxygen is a highly reactive non-metal because it has a strong tendency to form bonds with other elements, particularly metals, to complete its valence electron shell. Oxygen is in Group 16 of the periodic table, and it has six valence electrons, requiring two more electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration. This makes it highly electronegative, which means it has a strong affinity for electrons.
Oxygen reacts readily with almost all other elements to form oxides. For example, when it reacts with metals, it forms metal oxides, and when it reacts with non-metals, it forms molecular compounds like carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). This high reactivity is further seen in its role in combustion and oxidation reactions, which are fundamental to processes like respiration and the burning of fuels.
On the other hand, phosphorus, sulfur, and iron are less reactive compared to oxygen. Phosphorus, though reactive, is not as reactive as oxygen and tends to form stable allotropes like white phosphorus, which is reactive but requires activation to react with other elements. Sulfur is less reactive than oxygen because it is less electronegative and tends to form bonds in a more controlled manner. Iron, being a metal, is not considered a non-metal in this context and thus does not belong in the group of reactive non-metals. While iron can form iron oxides when exposed to oxygen, its reactivity is much lower than that of oxygen.
Therefore, oxygen is the most reactive non-metal among the options given due to its high electronegativity and strong ability to form chemical bonds with other elements.