Which elements are characterized by high melting points and often form salts when reacted with halogens?

The transition elements are characterized by high melting points and have the unique ability to form various compounds, including salts when reacted with halogens. Transition metals, located in the center of the periodic table, possess partially filled d-orbitals, which contribute to their ability to bond with other elements. This characteristic allows them to form compounds such as metal halides when combined with halogens.

In addition to forming salts, transition metals often exhibit a range of oxidation states, which can lead to diverse chemical behavior. Their high melting points result from strong metallic bonding within the crystal lattice structure of these metals, where the close packing and strong electrostatic attractions between positively charged metal ions and delocalized electrons create stability and resilience to temperature changes.

Other groups mentioned, such as noble gases and nonmetals, typically do not exhibit these properties. Noble gases are generally inert and do not readily react to form salts, while nonmetals usually have lower melting points and do not possess the metallic characteristics required for such reactions. Alkaline earth metals also react with halogens to form salts, but they typically have lower melting points than transition metals. Hence, the transition elements are the most fitting answer in this context.