Question

Fluorine (F) and bromine (Br) are in the same group on the periodic table. How do atoms of these elements compare when they form bonds?

1-Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom lose one electron, and both atoms become stable.
2-A fluorine atom becomes stable by losing one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by losing only one electron.
3-Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom gain one electron, and both atoms become stable.
4-A fluorine atom becomes stable by gaining one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by gaining only one electron.

Answer 1

The atoms combine with other atoms in order to complete their octet (eight electrons in their valence shell, noble gas configurations) and attain stability. The combination of atoms with other atoms to form molecule takes place by either sharing of electrons or by transfer of electrons from one atom to other atom.

Fluorine,
`F` and bromine,
`Br` are in the same group on the periodic table that is halogen group (Group 17). The halogen group has electronic configuration as
`ns^(2)np^(5)` that means they are deficient of one electron to complete their octet and attain stability. So, they gain 1 electron and result in the formation of anion and form compounds by transfer of electrons.

Hence, both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom gain one electron, and both atoms become stable.