When an alkane reacts with an element from group 7a, the reaction is referred to as?

Halogenation.

Explanation:

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In this case, we must remember that group VIIA elements are known as halogens which include F, Cl, Br, I and At. Now, when an alkane reacts with the diatomic form of one of those halogen a haloganation chemical reaction occurs forming an alkyl halide and a hydrogen halide. For instance, for ethane, if it reacts with iodine, ethyl iodide and hydrogen iodide are yielded based on the given example:

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