Bromine’s reactivity compared with fluorine and chlorine.

Bromine’s reactivity compared with fluorine and chlorine.

• A. More reactive than fluorine and chlorine.
• B. Less reactive than fluorine but more reactive than chlorine.
• C. Equally reactive with fluorine and chlorine.
• D. Less reactive than both fluorine and chlorine.

Answer: (D)

Reactivity among halogens is driven by how readily an atom can attract and gain an extra electron to form a halide ion. As you go down the group, atomic size increases and shielding grows, so the nucleus has a weaker pull on incoming electrons. Fluorine, at the top, is the most reactive because its small size gives a strong attraction for electrons and a high electron affinity. Chlorine is still highly reactive but not as extreme as fluorine. Bromine is below chlorine, larger and more shielded, so its tendency to gain an extra electron is weaker. This makes bromine less reactive than both fluorine and chlorine, so the statement that bromine is less reactive than both is the best description.

Reactivity among halogens is driven by how readily an atom can attract and gain an extra electron to form a halide ion. As you go down the group, atomic size increases and shielding grows, so the nucleus has a weaker pull on incoming electrons. Fluorine, at the top, is the most reactive because its small size gives a strong attraction for electrons and a high electron affinity. Chlorine is still highly reactive but not as extreme as fluorine. Bromine is below chlorine, larger and more shielded, so its tendency to gain an extra electron is weaker. This makes bromine less reactive than both fluorine and chlorine, so the statement that bromine is less reactive than both is the best description.