DISCUSSION

The halogens are five non-metallic elements found in group 17 of the periodic table. The Halogens are:
Fluorine Chlorine Bromine Iodine Astatine. These elements all partake in displacement reactions. In
order of reactivity fluorine is the most reactive followed by chlorine, then bromine, iodine and astatine
as the least reactive. Displacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which a more reactive element
displaces a less reactive element from its compound or aqueous solution. In this lab the following
halogens were tested, bromine, iodine and chlorine. Bromide and iodide ions are always displaced by
the chlorine because chlorine is more reactive. Its atom has fewer shells and the electronic bonding is
much stronger because the electrons are held closer to the nucleus (shielding effect). The closer
electrons are to the nucleus, the stronger the attraction will be which creates the ability for it to gain
electrons. Therefore since chlorine has two shells it makes it easier for the element to attract and hold
electrons from other elements with more shells. In other reactions that included bromine and iodine the
bromine will always displace iodine because iodine is less reactive .In the reaction where chlorine water
was added to potassium bromine and potassium iodine, there were colour changes in both test tubes.
This is because Chlorine is smaller than Br and I hence making it capable of taking electrons from Br- or I-
ions. This means that Chlorine will be converted to Chloride ions while Bromine and Iodine will be made
from Bromide and Iodide ions. The reaction of chlorine displaced potassium bromine produced faint
yellow color solution. The reaction of potassium iodide and chlorine produced pale green solution. In
the reactions where bromine water was added to potassium iodine and potassium chlorine only one test
tubes of the two changed color. This is due to Bromine being less reactive than Iodine but not Chlorine.
Resulting in the bromine being capable of taking electrons from Br- but not Cl- ions. This means that in
the Br2/KI mixture Bromine will be converted to Bromide ions while and Iodine will be made from Iodide
ions. But there will be no reaction in the Br2/KCl mixture since chlorine is more reactive than bromine.
In the reaction of potassium iodine and bromine, an orange solution can be observed. In the reaction of
potassium chlorine and bromine the solution went from colourless to a light yellow which indicated that
there wasn’t any reaction. In the last two reaction wher iodine water was added to potassium chloride
and potassium bromide, there was hardly any colour change in either test tube. This is because Iodine is
larger and less reactive than Br and Cl, so it not capable of taking electrons from either ions. Since there
will be no reaction in the I2/KCl mixture or the I2/KBr mixture both solutions remained orange brown in
color.

Precaution

Dispose of all used solutions in an approved manner as directed by the instructor.