Question

Elements and compounds which have small molecules usually exist as gases or liquids. A) chlorine is a gas at room temperature whereas bromine is a liquid under the same conditions. Explain these observations.

Answer 1

Basically the Br2 molecule is heavier than the Cl2 molecule......So the dispersion forces (London forces) are strong enough in Br2 to keep it in the liquid state... The Dispersion forces in Cl2 are not strong enough to keep the molecules held roughly together as they need to be in a liquid......

Yup :-) think of a solid such as iodine as a bunch of people in a elevator (Where the people are iodine molecules) because the molecules are so close they have little room to move.....this is the solid state.. Think of the liquid state (bromine molecules) as people as they leave an elevator and enter a hallway. They have a bit more freedom now but they are still kind of close together... Finally think of a gas (As chlorine molecules are) as when the people get outside the building and they can spread out now with large distances between them.........

Answer 2

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_Chlorine_a_gas_Bromine_a_liquid_and_Iodine_a_solid_at_room_temperature?#slide=6
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090225172154AAueMyz and these might help u to:)

Answer 3

Thank you so much for your help :)

Answer 4

No worries any time:)