The most reactive element in the periodic table is fluorine (F). This is primarily due to its high electronegativity and small atomic size.
Electronegativity refers to the tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. Fluorine has the highest electronegativity value of all elements, which means it has a strong desire to gain an electron to achieve a full outer electron shell, resembling the stable configuration of the noble gases.
Additionally, fluorine’s small atomic radius allows it to attract electrons more effectively. When an atom is smaller, the nucleus is closer to the outer electrons, leading to a stronger positive charge pull on any additional electrons it tries to attract.
Fluorine reacts violently with most elements, including noble gases, due to its strong yearning to form bonds by gaining electrons. This reactivity makes it a unique and pivotal element in the study of chemistry.