(a) As described in Section 7.7, the alkali metals react with hydrogen to form hydrides and react with halogens-for example, fluorine-to form halides. Compare the roles of hydrogen and the halogen in these reactions. How are the forms of hydrogen and halogen in the products alike?
(b) Write balanced equations for the reaction of fluorine with calcium and for the reaction of hydrogen with calcium. What are the similarities among the products of these reactions?