233k views
3 votes
Bromine reacts with this metal at a particular rate. For every metal, two bromines attach to it. You collect other metals within that family and it still reacts at that same ratio. 2 bromines for every 1 metal. Why is that so?

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The ratio of two bromines for every one metal occurs because halogens like bromine form anions with a charge of -1 and metals in the same family often have a +2 oxidation state to achieve a stable compound. This interaction is part of an oxidation-reduction or redox reaction where metals lose electrons that are gained by bromine, leading to halide compounds with a consistent stoichiometry.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason why metals in the same family react with bromine at a ratio of two bromines for every one metal is due to their similar chemical properties and the need to achieve a stable electron configuration. When bromine reacts with metals to form halide compounds, it does so with an oxidation state of -1 for each bromine atom. This is because bromine is a halogen and halogens form anions with a charge of -1.

Since two bromine atoms will have a combined oxidation charge of -2, the metal they react with must have a cation with a +2 oxidation state to balance the charge and form a neutral compound. This process, where the metal loses electrons and bromine gains, is known as an oxidation-reduction or redox reaction. Each metal atom loses two electrons (one to each bromine atom), which are gained by the bromine atoms, creating a stable, neutral compound.

For example, when sodium reacts with bromine, each sodium atom loses one electron to form a Na+ cation, and each bromine atom gains one electron to form two Br- anions. The same principle applies to other metals within that same family forming similar halide compounds.

User Sibnick
by
7.5k points

Related questions

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.