Which element is chemically similar to Chlorine? Oxygen Calcium Bromine Argon
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The element chemically similar to Chlorine is Bromine.
Both chlorine and bromine are halogens, a group of elements in Group 17 (VIIA) of the periodic table. The halogens are characterized by having seven valence electrons in their outer electron shell, which makes them highly reactive, particularly with metals and nonmetals. Due to their similar electron configuration, halogens tend to form similar types of chemical bonds, usually forming ionic compounds with metals (such as sodium chloride, NaCl, and sodium bromide, NaBr) and covalent bonds with nonmetals.
Why Bromine is Chemically Similar to Chlorine:
- Same Group on the Periodic Table: Chlorine and bromine both belong to Group 17 (halogens). The trend within the halogen group is that as you move down, the elements have similar properties, but their reactivity decreases. Bromine, being directly below chlorine, has similar chemical behavior but is slightly less reactive due to having a larger atomic radius and more electron shielding.
- Electron Configuration: Both chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br) have seven electrons in their outer shell (Cl: [Ne] 3s² 3p⁵; Br: [Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁵), which makes them share a similar tendency to gain one electron to achieve a stable octet.
- Similar Reactivity: Both chlorine and bromine form similar types of compounds. For example, they both react with hydrogen to form hydrogen halides (HCl and HBr), which are acidic in water. They also share the ability to displace each other in single-replacement reactions with metal halides.
Why Not Oxygen, Calcium, or Argon?
- Oxygen is in Group 16, so its chemical properties are different. It typically forms oxides and has a different valency (2 electrons in its outer shell).
- Calcium is an alkaline earth metal (Group 2) and behaves very differently, often forming ionic compounds with halogens.
- Argon is a noble gas in Group 18 and has a stable electron configuration, making it largely inert and unreactive compared to halogens.
Thus, bromine is the most chemically similar to chlorine.
