GCSE CHEMISTRY - What are the Halogens? - Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine - What is the Structure of the Halogens? - How do the Halogens React with other Substances?

What are the Halogens?

The halogens are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine.
Astatine is radioactive and is not studied at GCSE.
The halogens are in group 7 on the right of the periodic table.
See the halogens for shortcuts to the pages of this section.

What is the Structure of the Halogens?

The halogens are all diatomic covalently bonded molecules.
Diatomic means that each molecule contains two atoms.
The formulae are F₂, Cl₂, Br₂, I₂, (see the structure of chlorine).

How do the Halogens React with other Substances?

All of the halogens will either
1. gain one electron from a metal to form an ionic bond
or
2. share one electron with a non-metal to form a covalent bond.
For example, see hydrogen chloride or the structure of chlorine.

Links Halogens Revision Questions

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