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

Chlorine has a lower boiling point as it is smaller in size than bromine. Chlorine has fewer electrons than bromine and fewer electron shells so chlorine is smaller in atomic radius. Size affects the strength of the intermolecular forces and as the size of a molecule decreases the less energy is needed to break the forces so the lower the boiling point. As chlorine is smaller and has weaker intermolecular forces than bromine, less heat energy is required to break the bonds.

GF
Answered by Gleanneil Faith S. Chemistry tutor

6949 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe a single covalent bond in terms of the electron distribution of the atoms involved.


What are the differences between simple covalent and giant covalent bonding?


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


Explain why an atom has no overall charge


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