What is the Difference Between Bromine and Bromide?

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The main difference between bromine and bromide is that bromine is a chemical element, while bromide is an anion of bromine. Here are some key points to understand the difference between the two:

  • Bromine is a chemical element in the periodic table, denoted by Br, and belongs to the halogen group, which includes fluorine, chlorine, iodine, and astatine.
  • Bromide is an anion of bromine, commonly found in trace amounts as salt in sea-water, along with sodium chloride (common table salt). Bromide has 36 electrons compared to 35 electrons of bromine, but both have 35 protons, resulting in a -1 charge for bromide.
  • Bromine is more chemically reactive than bromide. Bromine is used when considering the element alone, while bromide is used when bromine is combined with another element.
  • Bromine can bond with carbon to form organic compounds known as organobromines, which are used in various applications such as soil fumigation, flame retardants, lead-scavenging agents in fuels, pharmaceuticals, and water disinfectants.
  • Bromide compounds, notably sodium bromide, were once used as sedatives and in the treatment of convulsions. Bromide may be treated with reverse osmosis, activated carbon, ultrafiltration, and dialysis.

In summary, bromine is a chemical element, while bromide is an anion of bromine. Bromine is more chemically reactive and can form organobromines, whereas bromide is found in sea-water and has specific applications in the treatment of convulsions.

Comparative Table: Bromine vs Bromide

Here is a table comparing the differences between bromine and bromide:

Property Bromine Bromide
Chemical Element Bromine is a chemical element in the periodic table, denoted by Br. Bromide is not a chemical element; it is an anion that forms when bromine abstracts an electron from another electropositive element.
Atomic Number 35 N/A
Electron Configuration [Ar] 4sĀ² 3dĀ¹ā° 4pāµ N/A
Charge Neutral -1
Reactivity More chemically reactive Less chemically reactive
Stability Less stable than bromide More stable than bromine

Bromine is a halogen in the 17th group and the 4th period of the periodic table, with an atomic number of 35, which means it has 35 protons and 35 electrons. Bromide, on the other hand, is the reduced form of bromine and has a -1 charge, with 36 electrons and 35 protons. Bromine is more chemically reactive than bromide, and bromide is more stable than bromine.