A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

185

The Halogen Group

Uses

use of this element is as a disinfectant to clean

water. It works better than chlorine in hot tubs

as chlorine escapes into the air easily from

the warm water. The concentration of bromine

in swimming pools can be regulated using

chemical test kits. Bromine compounds

can be used in film photography in which

images are printed using chemicals on

negatives. Today, bromine is mainly used

in fireproof material, such as firefighter

suits or furnishings, because it doesn’t

catch fire easily.

The Dead Sea Coast

Crusts of bromine

salts form along

the Israeli shoreline.

This bromine salt

was used in the late

19th century to help

patients sleep.

This image was created

when light reacted with

silver bromide.

Bromine chemical test kit

The colours on

this test kit show

how much bromine

is in the water.

The fabric used to make

this suit contains bromine

compounds that make it fireproof.

This fire

extinguisher uses a

non-flammable,

bromine-rich gas

to extinguish fires.

Bromine

was used as a

weapon

in World War I.

Photograph negative

Fireproo

f^

su

it

Fire

extinguisher

In 1826, French chemist

Antoine-Jérôme Balard

discovered bromine. He

heated seawater from

salt marshes, and after

most of the water had

evaporated, he passed

chlorine gas through what

was left. The remaining

liquid turned orange-red:

this was bromine.

ANTOINE-JÉRÔME BALARD

184-185_Bromine.indd 185 12/12/16 5:40 pm