Bromine, Br2, is a(n):
Question 6 options:
a) polar molecule
b) ionic formula unit
c) covalent compound
d) non polar molecule
e) more than one of the answers above is correct
c) covalent compound
To determine whether Bromine, Br2, is a polar molecule, ionic formula unit, covalent compound, or nonpolar molecule, we need to analyze its chemical bonding.
Bromine, Br2, is a diatomic molecule, meaning it consists of two bromine atoms bonded together. Bromine is an element found in Group 17 (Group VIIA) of the periodic table, commonly known as the halogens.
Bromine has 35 electrons, with its electron configuration being [Ar]3d10 4s2 4p5. Each bromine atom has seven valence electrons. To achieve a stable electron configuration, each bromine atom shares one electron with the other bromine atom, resulting in a covalent bond.
Since Bromine, Br2, consists of covalent bonds between bromine atoms, it is a covalent compound. Therefore, the correct answer is c) covalent compound.