The Halogens ‘interesting non-metals

Saif Uddin
BMARPC

The Periodic table is the most important organizing principle in chemistry. Periodic Table can change your point of view
in learning chemistry. We know that periodic table consists of 18 groups known as columns and 7 periods known as
rows. Elements of the table classify into metals and non-metals, metalloids also in the part of classification. Every
member of the groups have similar properties. If you know the properties of any one element in a group of the periodic
table, you can make a good guess at the properties of every other element in the same group and even the elements in
neighboring groups.

In my writings I would like to provide you some information about the most interesting non-metals in the
periodic table which is “Halogens”. Halogens, comes from the Greek words ‘halos’ means ‘salt’ and ‘gen’ means ‘to
form’ which completely stands for ‘salt former’. The name of the “halogen” was introduced by J.S.C Schweigger in 1811
to describe the property of chlorine of combining directly with metals to give salts.

The halogens are group 17 elements in the periodic table. They are Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br),
Iodine (I), Astatine (At) and Tennessine (Ts). Fluorine and chlorine are gaseous in the room temperature respectively,
whereas Bromine is the only non-metals that liquid at room temperature. Iodine found as solid as well as Astatine and
Tennessine, which two are radioactive elements. They are diatomic (consists of two atoms) and their electronic
configurations are ns2 np5 that makes them non-metals character.

Facts about Fluorine

1. The name of fluorine derives from the early use of fluorspar (CaF2) as a flux (Latin fluere means ‘to follow’).
2. The name fluorine suggested by Sir Humphry Davy and A.M. Ampere in 1812.
3. Henry Moissan, a French chemist finally discovered fluorine in 1886 from the electrolysis of dry potassium
hydrogen fluoride (KHF2) and hydrofluoric acid.
4. Fluorine is the 13th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.
5. Fluorine is the most reactive and electronegative of all the elements in the table.
6. Fluorine is toxic, a pale-yellow gas which is found in the nature as Flurospar (CaF2), chlor apatite {CaCl2.
Ca3(PO4)} , fluorapatite {CaF2. Ca3(PO4)} and Cryolite(Na3AlF6).
7. The fluorine is used as fluorides in toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.
8. Fluorine and its compound are used to produce Uranium.
9. Fluorine is used as Freon (Flurochlorohydrocarbon) as refrigeration fluid and Teflon as polymers.
10. Hydrogen fluoride, a compound of fluorine is used to etch glass.
Facts about Chlorine

1. Chlorine the word comes from the Greek word ‘Chloros’ meaning ‘greenish yellow’.

2. Chlorine was prepared by Swedish chemist Carl William Scheele in 1774 but it was identified as an element
by Davy in 1810.

3. Chlorine was prepared by the reaction of HCl with MnO2

4. Chlorine is abundantly available in NaCl and in saltwater.

5. Chlorine was the first gas used in chemical warfare in World War I.

6. Chlorine has two isotopes which is 75% of 35Cl and 25% of 37Cl.

7. Chlorine is a toxic, poisonous gas that is irritating to the eyes and the respiratory system.

8. Chlorine gas is used in chemical bleaches, which were first invented in 1799.

9. Chlorine gas is responsible for the destruction of the Ozone layer in the atmosphere. One chlorine atom can
destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules.

10. Chlorine is often used to sterilize drinking water and disinfect swimming pools.

Facts about Bromine

1. Bromine is a word that comes from the Greek word ‘Bromos’ which means ‘stench’.

2. Bromine was discovered by two scientists who were working separately, C. Lowig and Balard in 1826.

3. The most interesting thing about bromine is, it is liquid at room temperature.

4. Bromine is a reddish-brown liquid and form brown color vapour.

5. Bromine is obtained from natural brine deposits.

6. Bromine has two stable isotopes which has found naturally as percentage by 79Br (50.7%) and 81Br (49.3%).

Facts about Iodine

1. The name Iodine is taken from the Greek word Iodes, meaning ‘violet’.

2. It was first discovered and isolated by French Chemist Bernard Courtois in 1811.

3. Gay-Lussac who first named iodine as a new element.

4. Thirty isotopes of iodine are known but only one stable isotope found in nature is I-127.

5. it is solid at room temperature , but forms violet vapour.

6. The radioactive iodine-131 is used to treat cancer in the thyroid gland.

7. Iodine is less reactive than other halogens like F, Cl, Br.

8. Elemental iodine is used as a disinfectant.

9. Silver iodide (AgI) is used in photography.

10. Iodine is good for test starch.