Question

Chlorine and bromine have very similar chemical properties. This is best explained by the fact that both elements:

a) Are gases.
b) Have an equal number of protons and electrons.
c) Are in period 3 of the periodic table.
d) Have the same number of valence electrons.

Answer 1

Bromine and chlorine have similar chemical properties because they both have the same number of valence electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical properties of bromine and chlorine are similar because they both have the same number of valence electrons, specifically seven.

Having the same number of valence electrons allows elements to exhibit similar chemical properties. Valence electrons are the outermost electrons that are involved in chemical reactions. The halogens, including bromine and chlorine, are in Group 17 of the periodic table and have seven valence electrons.

Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Have the same number of valence electrons.