Group VII Elements

Fluorine –  ₉F → 2, 7

Chlorine – ₁₇Cl → 2, 8, 7

Group VII elements include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine. The elements in this group are known as halogens. The word “Halogen” means “salt producer“. They are the most reactive non-metals and they exist as diatomic molecules. They are coloured. 

They ionize to form univalent negative ions. e.g. Cl₂ + 2e^– → 2Cl^–