Bromine is a heavy, reddish-brown liquid and the only nonmetallic element that is liquid at room temperature. It is highly toxic and reactive, used in industrial and cleaning compounds, and identified by the symbol Br. It is classified among the halogen elements and discovered in 1826 by Antoine Balard. Bromine is used in water purification, as an antiseptic and disinfectant agent, in photographic chemicals, dyes, fumigants, and automotive anti-knock blends.
Bromine is a nonmetallic chemical element that is notable for being the only nonmetallic element that is liquid at room temperature. It is highly toxic and extremely reactive, requiring extreme care when handled. Bromine is used in an assortment of industrial and cleaning compounds and is readily available from several sources. People who have a swimming pool or hot tub may already be familiar with this item in the form of tablets that are used to treat water.
The element is identified by the symbol Br on the periodic table of elements, and has atomic number 35. The name comes from the Greek bromos, for “stink”, a reference to bromine’s characteristic pungent and unpleasant odor. It is classified among the halogen elements, sharing the traits of extreme reactivity and the ability to produce salts when exposed to metals. Furthermore, all halogen elements are nonmetallic and exist in all three states of matter at or near room temperature.
Bromine itself is a heavy reddish-brown liquid. It is highly corrosive, making it extremely inadvisable to handle it without protection, and it is also highly volatile. The vapor has a rather unpleasant odor, which also warns people of dangerously high concentrations of bromine. Some chemists believe it is difficult to be seriously injured by bromine because the smell will push a person out of the room before the element injures them. It’s still a great idea for people to cover their eyes, nose and mouth when working with bromine, and gloves should also be worn at all times.
The element was discovered in 1826 by Antoine Balard, who was exploring the water content in sea marshes. In addition to discovering and naming bromine, Balard also worked on other elements, such as chlorine. In the 1860s, the element was being produced on a large scale from seawater and salt deposits. Brine wells continue to be an important source and the Dead Sea is another abundant source of useful elements.
In addition to being used in water purification, bromine is also used as an antiseptic and disinfectant agent. Photographic chemicals also contain it, and it can be found in dyes, fumigants, and automotive anti-knock blends. People may note that many of these compounds are considered toxic and their handling instructions include eye, respiratory, and skin protection.
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