The group 7 elements need to gain an electron as atomic radius increases, making it harder to attract an electron and therefore reactivity decreases down the group.
The group 7 elements are simple covalent molecules held together with van der waals forces, and the strength of these intermolecular forces increases as the Ar of the molecule increases, resulting in a higher boiling point.
The halogens act as good oxidising agents as they accept electrons from the species being oxidised and are reduced, with this oxidising power decreasing down the group as their ability to attract electrons decreases due to shielding and a greater atomic radius.
The negative ions of halogens are known as halide ions, which are good reducing agents as they donate electrons to the species being reduced and are themselves oxidised, with this reducing power increasing down the group as electrons are easier to lose from larger ions due to shielding and a larger atomic radius.
Acidified silver nitrate is used to test for halide ions as it reacts to form different coloured precipitates depending on the ion present, and these precipitates may not be clear to distinguish so they can be tested further using ammonia.
If ammonium ions are present, ammonia gas is given off, which is a base, and the presence of ammonium ions can be tested by holding red litmus over a petri dish of the substance being tested, it will turn blue if ammonium ions are present.
When an acid such as HCl is added to a substance containing Carbonate (CO 3 2- ), the substance will fizz (effervescence) and CO 2 gas is given off, which can be collected and bubbled through limewater to confirm it as carbon dioxide.
Chlorine reacts with cold water to produce Chlorate(I) ions (ClO - ) and chloride ions, in a disproportionation reaction where the chlorine is both oxidised and reduced.
The more reactive halogens (strongest oxidising agents) will displace the more reactive halides (strongest reducing agents) from solutions of their ions