Why does iodine have a higher boiling point than chlorine?

Iodine and chlorine are both in group 7 of the periodic table, iodine is further down than chlorine. When travelling down the periodic table the size of the atom increases due to the amount of electrons that reside within it. Since iodine is further down, it is bigger than chlorine and will have stronger intermolecular forces than chlorine which will require more energy to break. This results in iodine having a higher boiling point than chlorine.

AC
Answered by Abigail C. Chemistry tutor

3365 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe and Explain the trend in Volatility of Group 7 Elements


Whats the difference between an ionic bond and a covalent bond?


What are Oxidation and Reduction?


solid magnesium cannot flow, but liquid magnesium can. Explain why. (3)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning