Final answer:
Nonmetals further to the right in a period are more reactive due to their increased electronegativity and the strong desire to gain electrons, with fluorine being the most reactive nonmetal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atoms from nonmetals further to the right in a period generally tend to be more reactive. This increased reactivity is due to their high electronegativity, which means they have a stronger tendency to attract and gain electrons to achieve a full valence shell. For instance, the halogens, located to the right in a period just before the noble gases, are particularly reactive. This is because they only require one additional electron to complete their outer shell, making them very likely to react with other elements to obtain that electron.
When moving to the right across a period, the nuclear charge increases. This stronger positive charge holds the electrons more tightly, and the elements become more eager to attract additional electrons to become stable. However, it's important to note that while nonmetals to the right are more reactive, the most right column, which contains the noble gases, possess a complete valence shell making them inert or non-reactive.
Fluorine is a prime example of a highly reactive nonmetal as it is found at the upper right of the periodic table and has a strong attraction for electrons, causing it to react explosively with many elements and compounds. Its reactivity is a key aspect of its chemical behavior, and it is one of the most reactive elements known.