Bromine
Definition and meaning of Bromine in chemistry.
Bromine is a halogen chemical element with the symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is the third lightest halogen and is distinguished as being the only nonmetallic element that exists as a fuming red-brown liquid at standard room temperature.
In more detail
Located in group 17 of the periodic table, bromine sits exactly between chlorine and iodine, exhibiting a chemical reactivity that is intermediate between the two. The liquid readily evaporates to form a similarly colored, highly corrosive gas that is heavier than air. Bromine does not occur natively on Earth in its elemental form, but rather as colorless soluble crystalline mineral halide salts, which are entirely analogous to common table salt. Its high electronegativity and reactivity mean it readily forms compounds with numerous other elements, especially bonding with metals to yield various bromides. It is extracted commercially almost exclusively from deep underground brine pools and the heavily concentrated waters of the Dead Sea.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Br |
| Atomic number | 35 |
| Atomic mass | 79.904 u |
| Category | Halogen |
| State at room temperature | Liquid |
| Boiling point | 58.8 degrees Celsius |
| Density | 3.10 grams per cubic centimeter |
| Discoverers | Antoine Jerome Balard and Carl Jacob Loewig (1825) |
Bromine compounds have been used extensively as highly effective flame retardants in plastics, textiles, and electronic enclosures, though several of these applications have been strictly phased out due to persistent environmental and health concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Why is elemental bromine considered dangerous?
Liquid bromine is severely corrosive to human tissue, and its heavy red-brown vapors are highly toxic and fiercely irritating to the respiratory tract, throat, and eyes.
Does bromine have a distinctive smell?
Yes, it has an incredibly sharp, penetrating, and suffocating odor that is strongly reminiscent of chlorine gas, which inspired its name derived from the Greek word for stench.