Group 2 elements (Halogens)

11.2.1.8 understand and be able to account for the trends in electronegativity and boiling point, be able to account for the
decreasing oxidising ability down the group
11.2.1.9 recognise the displacement reactions of the halogens
11.2.1.10 understand and be able to account for the trend in reducing abilities of the halide ions
11.2.1.11 be able to identify halide ions using silver nitrate and ammonia solution
11.2.1.12 know how chlorine water is formed and the reactions of chlorine with aqueous sodium hydroxide
11.2.1.13 understand the use of chlorine as a water treatment and understand the balance of risks and benefits in this process

All of the elements have an Group 7 elements all form diatomic molecules
incomplete outer shell - one
non-metals
electron is needed to complete it. F2
This similarity in electron structure
gives the elements in Group 7 There is a single
strong covalent
similar chemical properties.  Cl2 bond between
atoms

Br2
 1. General information
Assessment criteria:
Describe the trend in colors, volatility of chlorine, bromine and iodine in terms of van der Waals’ forces
Make predictions about the properties of the other halogens in this group
Skills: Knowledge and comprehension. Application (interpretation of diagram) Watch video # 1
1 How van der Waals’ forces arise 2 The halogens become darker as you go
Colors
down the group.
Van der Waals’ forces increase with Fluorine is very pale yellow,
• increasing number of electrons (and protons) in the 9 chlorine is yellow-green, and
molecule bromine is red-brown.
• increasing the number of contact points between the
Iodine crystals are shiny purple - but
molecules – contact points are places where the molecules
come close together.
17 easily turn into a dark purple vapour when
they are warmed up.
Prediction: Astatine (At) is black
35 Because
increasing
number of
electrons →
increases VdW
53 forces, more
same for
other
attractions halogens
3 Volatility
The greater the number of electrons, the greater the opportunities for temporary dipoles arising within
molecules, and for induced dipoles to be produced on neighbouring molecules. The larger the molecules, the stronger the
van der Waals’ forces between molecules, making iodine the least volatile and fluorine the most volatile of the halogens we
are considering.

More volatile
Volatility increases

Van der Waals’

forces
Watch video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-cdvE0FUpg
A video describing how the volatility of the
halogens varies within the group, and
explaining this in terms of the intermolecular
same for other halogens
bonds present
Less volatile
 2. Trends of physical properties
11.2.1.8 understand and be able to account for the trends in electronegativity and boiling point, be able to account for the
decreasing oxidising ability down the group
Assessment criteria:
Explain the trend in electronegativity and boiling point of the elements in terms of their structure and bonding
Electronegativity is a measure of how easily an atom attracts a pair of
4 Trends in electronegativity electrons to form a chemical bond. 

• 10 inner electrons
• The positive charge on the
• 2 inner electrons
nucleus is cut down by
• Small distance
the shielding effect of the
between nucleus
inner electrons
and outer shell • Bigger distance between
electrons, so high
nucleus and outer shell
attractions
electrons, so less attractions

Electronegativity DECREASES
from fluorine to iodine; the atoms •Shared electrons get further from the
become less effective at attracting nucleus
bonding pairs of electrons as they
•More shielding by inner shells
grow larger. 
 5 Trends in Melting and Boiling point
Same explanation with volatility and color trends

The increase in melting point and boiling point

Gases have low can be explained by understanding Van Der
MP and BP Waal forces.

The greater the number of electrons, the greater the opportunities for temporary dipoles arising within
molecules, and for induced dipoles to be produced on neighbouring molecules. The larger the molecules, the stronger the
van der Waals’ forces between molecules, making iodine the least volatile and fluorine the most volatile of the halogens we
are considering.
 Physical properties: summary
Down the group:
Halogen EN Atomic Melting Boiling Point
Electronegativity Radius (nm) Point (K) (K)
Fluorine decreases 4.0 0.071 53 85

increases
increases

increases
Chlorine 3.0 0.099 172 238
Bromine 2.8 0.114 266 332
Iodine 2.5 0.133 387 457
•Shared electrons get further from the nucleus
•More shielding by inner shells
 3. Displacement reactions of the halogens
11.2.1.9 recognise the displacement reactions of the halogens
Assessment criteria:
Describe the relative reactivity of the elements chlorine, bromine and iodine as oxidising agents using their E⦵ values
Write the equations of displacement reactions

Reactivity of halogens

Watch video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r
BhMWpyO7Ts
 More reactive halogen always displace a less reactive halogen

F2 can oxidise all halide ions.

Cl2 can can oxidise Br- and I-
Br2 can oxidise only I- oxidation

Example:

reduction
 4. The trend in reducing abilities of the halide ions
11.2.1.10 understand and be able to account for the trend in reducing abilities of the halide ions
Assessment criteria:
Record observations from reactions of NaCl, NaBr and NaI with concentrated sulfuric acid
Write the reaction equations of halide ions with concentrated sulfuric acid
Explain the reactions of NaCl, NaBr and NaI with concentrated sulfuric acid in terms of oxidising and reducing ability

Watch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I5O5dYEdO4

White fume seen

Brˉ can reduce sulfur from +6 to +4, producing HBr, SO2, Br2
Observation:
white fumes of HBr,
invisible SO2 (bubbles)
brown fumes of Br2
Iˉ can reduce sulfur from +6 to -2 (+4 then 0 then -2), producing HI,
SO2, S, H2S, I2
Observation:
white fumes of HI,
invisible SO2 (bubbles)
invisible H2S (distinctive smell)
yellow S
brown fumes of I2
 5. Qualitative tests for halide ions
11.2.1.11 be able to identify halide ions using silver nitrate and ammonia solution
Assessment criteria:
Deduce unknown halide ions using qualitative tests
Describe the observations of the reactions of halide ions using silver nitrate and dilute and concentrated ammonia solution

Watch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRNiI9vpqvU

Acidifying the solution Soluble Insoluble
Halide tests are carried out after acidifying with
Nitric Acid (HNO3) This is because solutions can
absorb CO2 to form carbonate ions over time.
HNO3 is used to remove carbonates.
 6. Reactions of chlorine with aqueous sodium hydroxide
11.2.1.12 know how chlorine water is formed and the reactions of chlorine with aqueous sodium
hydroxide
Assessment criteria:
Describe and interpret in terms of changes of oxidation number the reaction of chlorine with water, and with
cold and hot aqueous sodium hydroxide.
Write the reaction equations of the reaction of chlorine with water, and with cold, and with hot aqueous
sodium hydroxide

1 Reaction of chlorine with water

Chlorine reacts slowly with cold water to form a mixture of hydrochloric and chloric (I) acids.
reduction

0 +1 -1
Cl2 (g) + H2O (l) ↔ HClO (aq) + HCl (aq)

oxidation kills bacteria

This is called disproportionation: oxidation state of some atoms of the same
element increase and others decrease
2 Reaction with water in sunlight
If the chlorine is bubble through water in the presence of bright sunlight a
different reaction occurs. HClO is unstable in presence of UV light.
UV

2HOCl → 2HCl + O2
HOCl is oxidise many organic compounds, including some of microorganisms
and bacteria hence they serve as disinfectant

Overall equation is:

Water CHLORINATION: AN ALTERNATIVE

We can also add solid sodium (or calcium) chlorate;

NaClO (s) + H2O (l) NaOH(aq) + HClO (aq)

• Sodium chlorate dissolves in water to give the Chloric acid

• In alkali conditions the equilibrium shifts to the left and
removes HClO
• Pools must be kept slightly acidic using this method
3 Reaction with NaOH

Sodium hydroxide
Cl2 + solution
Hot
Cold dilute concentrated
NaCl NaCl
NaClO NaClO3
H2O H2 O
 7. Balance of risks and benefits. Uses of Halogens
11.2.1.13 understand the use of chlorine as a water treatment and understand the balance of risks and
benefits in this process
Assessment criteria:
State the industrial importance and environmental significance of the halogens and their compounds, including: bleach, PVC,
halogenated hydrocarbons as solvents, as refrigerants, and in aerosols
Explain the use of chlorine in water purification
Evaluate the effectiveness of chlorine in water purification process and assess the advantages and disadvantages of this process

1 Pros and cons of water purification

• Chlorine also reacts with organic matter to produce chlorinated organic
compounds which increase the risk of cancer.
• But this increased risk is insignificant when placed against that of consuming
contaminated water.
Teflon

Photographic film

Iodised salt
2 Uses

Bleach - NaClO