When chlorine is bubbled through potassium bromide solution, the solution turns orange. Explain this.

This is because the reaction taking place is a displacement reaction, meaning that one element is being displaced by another. 

So what is being displaced?:

If you look at the periodic table, chlorine is more reactive than bromine and is therefore going to want to react more aggressively than bromine. Due to this, the chlorine is stronger and can take the place of bromine in the potassium bromide solution and now becomes potassium chloride solution. Since the bromine ions now float freely in the solution, there is a visible colour change to orange due to the natural orange/brown colour of bromine.

LB
Answered by Leah B. Chemistry tutor

86501 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

why does iodine have a higher boiling point than chlorine?


Potassium forms an ionic compound with sulfur. Describe what happens when two atoms of potassium react with one atom of sulfur. Give your answer in terms of electron transfer.


How do I know the formula for salts formed in a reaction?


I don't understand why pressure changes the position of equilibrium in a reaction?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning