OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

Which chemical group does Bromine belong to?

1. Halogens

2. Heavy metals

3. Peroxides

4. Aldehydes

The correct answer is: Halogens

Bromine belongs to the halogens, which are a group of elements found in Group 17 of the periodic table. This group is characterized by elements that are highly reactive, often forming salts when they react with metals. Halogens include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. Bromine, specifically, is the only nonmetal that is liquid at room temperature and has distinct properties such as being reddish-brown in color and having a strong, unpleasant odor. It plays a crucial role in various chemical reactions and is used in many applications, including flame retardants, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals. The other groups mentioned—heavy metals, peroxides, and aldehydes—do not encompass bromine. Heavy metals are typically those that have a high density and are often toxic, peroxides are compounds containing oxygen-oxygen bonds, and aldehydes are organic compounds characterized by a carbonyl group with a hydrogen atom. None of these categories apply to bromine, affirming that the halogens is indeed the correct classification for this element.