What do alkali metals form when they react with halogens?

When alkali metals react with halogens, they form metal halides. This reaction typically occurs because alkali metals, which are highly reactive, readily lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, resulting in a positively charged ion. Halogens, on the other hand, are also highly reactive and have a strong tendency to gain an electron to complete their valence shell, forming negatively charged ions.

During the reaction, the alkali metal donates its electron to the halogen, leading to the formation of a stable ionic compound composed of the metal cation and the halide anion. This type of compound is known as a metal halide, characterized by its ionic bonding and the presence of a metal from group 1 of the periodic table combined with a halogen.

The other options represent different types of compounds or reactions that do not occur when alkali metals react with halogens. Hydroxides are formed when alkali metals react with water, and oxides are produced when they react with oxygen. Acids, on the other hand, do not result directly from this specific type of reaction between alkali metals and halogens. Thus, the formation of metal halides is the correct interpretation of the reactivity of alkali metals with