Which has a lower boiling point chlorine or bromine, and why?

Chlorine, as chlorine has fewer electrons shells than bromine. As a result, chlorine is smaller and has a smaller atomic radius. 

The difference in size, relates to boiling point of the molecule. This is because the size effects the strength of the forces between the molecules (intermolecular forces). The strength of the intermolecular forces increases with increasing size of the molecule. Therefore, bromine is larger and has stronger intermolecular forces, meaning it requires more heat energy to break the strong bonds (high boiling point). So in conclusion chlorine has a lower boiling point. 

MF

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

10cm^3 of 1M NaOH solution is mixed with 15cm^3 of 0.5M HCl, what is the resulting pH of the solution?


What is meant by 'activation energy' ?


What is the mechanism for the nucleophilic substitution of a halogenoalkane?


Molecules of hydrogen chloride, HCl, and molecules of fluorine, F2, contain the same number of electrons. Hydrogen chloride boils at –85 °C and fluorine boils at –188 °C. Explain why there is a difference in the boiling points of HCl and F2.