Chapter 7, Problem 78E

The reaction of a metal, M, with a halogen, ${\text{X}}_2$, proceeds by an exothermic reaction as indicated by this equation: $\text{M}\left(s\right)+{\text{X}}_2\left(g\right)\to {\text{MX}}_2\left(s\right)$. For each of the following, indicate which option will make the reaction more exothermic. Explain your answers.

(a) a large radius vs. a small radius for ${\text{M}}^{+2}$

(b) a high ionization energy vs. a low ionization energy for M

(c) an increasing bond energy for the halogen

(d) a decreasing electron affinity for the halogen

(e) an increasing size of the anion formed by the halogen