35
Room of the Elements · No. 35
Bromine (Br): what kind of element is it?
日本語
In short
Bromine is element number 35, with the symbol Br. Its name comes from bromos, the Greek word for “stench.”
Atomic number 3579.90
BrBromine臭素 (shūso)- Symbol
- Br
- Atomic weight
- 79.90
- Place in the table
- Period 4 · Group 17
Atomic weight from the Chemical Society of Japan, “Table of Standard Atomic Weights with Four Significant Figures (2026)”.
Named for its smell
Bromine was discovered in 1826 and named for its smell. Its Japanese name, 臭素 (shūso), also uses the character 臭, meaning “smelly.”
A member of Group 17
Bromine is in the fourth row of Group 17. From the top, the column goes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine.
Many names in this column come from colors and properties: chlorine from “yellow-green” and iodine from “violet.”
Think about it
- Q1Is naming something after its smell a good way to name it?
- Q2Chlorine (color), bromine (smell). Which sense would you use to name another element?
- Q3Can you name the Group 17 elements from top to bottom?
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — Besides bromine, osmium is also named for smell.