Question

Fluorine (F) and bromine (Br) are in the same group on the periodic table. How do atoms of these elements compare when they form bonds?

Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom lose one electron, and both atoms become stable.
A fluorine atom becomes stable by losing one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by losing only one electron.
Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom gain one electron, and both atoms become stable.
A fluorine atom becomes stable by gaining one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by gaining only one electron.

Answer 1

To compare how fluorine (F) and bromine (Br) form bonds, we can look at their electron configurations, electronegativities, and typical bonding behavior.

1. **Fluorine (F)**: Fluorine has 7 valence electrons and needs to gain 1 electron to achieve a stable octet configuration. When it gains one electron, it becomes a negatively charged ion (F⁻), which is very stable.

2. **Bromine (Br)**: Like fluorine, bromine also has 7 valence electrons. It can also gain 1 electron to achieve a stable octet configuration, becoming a negatively charged ion (Br⁻) that is stable as well.

Given this, the following statements can be evaluated:

- **Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom lose one electron, and both atoms become stable**: This statement is incorrect as both F and Br typically gain electrons rather than lose them to achieve stability.

- **A fluorine atom becomes stable by losing one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by losing only one electron**: This statement is also incorrect. Fluorine gains electrons to become stable, and bromine can gain one electron as well.

- **Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom gain one electron, and both atoms become stable**: This statement is correct. Both elements achieve stability through the gain of one electron.

- **A fluorine atom becomes stable by gaining one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by gaining only one electron**: This statement is incorrect. Both fluorine and bromine can gain one electron to become stable.

Thus, the most accurate statement is: **Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom gain one electron, and both atoms become stable.**