Final answer:
Bromine, a halogen, can combine with the alkaline earth metal calcium to form calcium bromide (CaBr2), which is a type of salt. Halogens like bromine are highly reactive and can readily form ionic compounds with metals such as calcium, deriving from their seven valence electrons and tendency to reach a stable octet through reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Halogens are known as "salt formers" because of their ability to react with other elements to produce salts. Aside from chlorine, another halogen that can combine with an alkaline earth metal to form a salt is bromine (Br). An example of an alkaline earth metal is calcium (Ca). When these two react, they form calcium bromide (CaBr2), which is an ionic salt. Likewise, other combinations, such as iodine with magnesium, can produce salts like magnesium iodide (MgI2).
The halogens, including fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, are in Group 17 of the periodic table. These elements are highly reactive, especially with alkali and alkaline earth metals, because they have seven valence electrons, making them just one electron shy of a full octet.
Halogens are widely present in nature in the form of salts and halide ions, particularly in seawater. Their compounds are also essential in various biological functions, with iodine being necessary for the thyroid gland and chloride forming part of stomach acid, as hydrochloric acid.