Chlorine, $\mathrm { Cl } _ { 2 }$ ,is a gas at room temperature,but bromine, $\mathrm { Br } _ { 2 }$ ,is a liquid.Explain.
A)Chlorine atoms are larger and this makes the formation of induced dipole-induced dipole attractions more favorable.
B)Bromine atoms are larger and this makes the formation of induced dipole-induced dipole attractions more favorable.
C)The smaller chlorine molecules are able to pack together in a tighter physical orientation.
D)The bromine ions are held together by ionic bonds.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bromine atoms are larger than chlorine atoms, which means they have more electrons. This leads to stronger London dispersion forces (a type of van der Waals force), or induced dipole-induced dipole attractions, between bromine molecules compared to chlorine molecules. These stronger attractions make bromine a liquid at room temperature, whereas chlorine, with weaker attractions between its molecules, remains a gas.

Chlorine Cl2\mathrm { Cl } _ { 2 }Cl2​ ,Is a Gas at Room Temperature,but Bromine

Chlorine $\mathrm { Cl } _ { 2 }$ ,Is a Gas at Room Temperature,but Bromine