4.

(a) The elements F, Cl, Br and I belong to GROUP VII (GROUP 17) of the Periodic
Table
State and explain the trend of
(i) Physical state of the elements down the group.
F Gas - Due to increase if van der waals forces down the group
Cl Gas
Br liquid
I Solid
NB: Others:

(ii) Oxidising power of the elements up the group.

Oxidising power increases up the group as electronegativity increases.
Or due to increase effective nuclear charge and decrease atomic size.
(iii) Acid strength of the hydrogen halides(HX) down the group.
Increases down the group as H-X bond length increases and becomes weaker
hence easily broken.
(6 marks)
NB: Others:

HI bond is weakest while HF bond is strongest. Therefore HI is the

strongest acid and HF is the weakest acid.
- HF is a weak acid because of the Following reasons:
 Fluorine has a high affinity for Hydrogen and the H- F bond is quite
difficult to break. Because of high electronegativity of F ,
 There is strong, extensive bond with hydrogen(H- bonds), As a
result, it does not release H+ ion easily.
 The variation of the boiling points of the hydrogen halides is in the order 
HF > HI > HBr > HCl due to strong H-bonding in HF molecule, boiling
point is highest for HF.

Why do halogens show variable oxidation states?

Fluorine is the most electronegative element and cannot exhibit any positive oxidation
state. Other halogens have d orbitals and therefore, can expand their octets and show + 1, + 3,
+ 5 and + 7 oxidation states also.
- Fluorine has no vacant d-orbitals so no electron excitation is possible and
so it does not exhibit variable oxidation states.
Importance
NB: - Fluorinated tooth paste slows down tooth decay by destroying bacteria responsible or
prevents cavities.
- Iodinated kitchen salt prevents goitre