Question

1. alkali metals react very readily with halogens and form ionic compounds such as table salt (nacl) and many others. which of the following explanations most completely describes why these two families of elements reacts readily? alkali metals are negative and halogens are positive, so they attract each other. the alkali metals have one valence electron, and the halogens are one short of an octet. alkali metals and halogens can very easily share eight valence electrons between them. the halogens very easily donate valence electrons to the alkali metals so that all have eight.

Explanation:

Alkali metals have one valence - electron which they can easily lose to achieve a stable electron configuration. Halogens are one electron short of an octet (a stable electron configuration). So, alkali metals donate their valence electron to halogens, forming ionic bonds.

Answer:

The alkali metals have one valence electron, and the halogens are one short of an octet.