Physical properties of the halogens
group 7The vertical column of non-metal elements next to group 0 in the periodic table, also called the halogens. contains non-metalElement that is a poor conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms acidic oxides. elementA substance made of one type of atom only. placed in a vertical column on the right of the periodic tableA tabular representation of all known elements in order based on atomic number, eg all the noble gases are found on the right of the periodic table.. The elements in group 7 are called the halogenAn element placed in group 7 of the periodic table, which starts with fluorine and ends with astatine. The name 'halogen' means 'salt-producing' because halogens produce a range of salts when they react with metals..
The halogens show trends in their physical propertiesA description of the appearance of a substance or how it acts without involving chemical reactions. For example, state, melting point, conductivity, etc. and chemical propertiesA description of how a substance reacts with other substances. For example, flammability, pH, reaction with acid, etc..
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Physical properties
The halogens exist as simple moleculeA collection of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.. Each molecule contains two halogen atomThe smallest part of an element that can exist. joined by a single covalent bondA bond between atoms formed when atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell of electrons.. The table shows the colour and physical stateSolid, liquid or gas. Evaporation is a change of state from liquid to gas. of chlorine, bromine and iodine at room temperature.
Element | Colour | State |
Chlorine, Cl2 | Pale green | Gas |
Bromine, Br2 | Brown | Liquid |
Iodine, I2 | Purple-black | Solid |
Element | Chlorine, Cl2 |
---|---|
Colour | Pale green |
State | Gas |
Element | Bromine, Br2 |
---|---|
Colour | Brown |
State | Liquid |
Element | Iodine, I2 |
---|---|
Colour | Purple-black |
State | Solid |
The melting pointThe temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid as it is heated. and boiling pointThe temperature at which a substance rapidly changes from a liquid to a gas. of the halogens increase going down group 7. This is because, going down group 7:
- the molecules become larger
- the intermolecular forcesWeak attractive forces between molecules. When a simple molecular substance melts or boils, it is the intermolecular forces that are broken (not the covalent bonds in each molecule). become stronger
- more energyThe capacity of a system to do work or the quantity required for mechanical work to take place. Measured in joules (J). For example, a man transfers 100 J of energy when moving a wheelbarrow. is needed to overcome these forces
Example
The graph shows the melting and boiling points of the first four group 7 elements. Astatine is placed below iodine in group 7. Predict the melting and boiling points of astatine, and its state at room temperature.
Astatine should have a melting point of about 300掳C and a boiling point of about 340掳C. This means that it will be solid at room temperature.