Question

fluorine (f) and bromine (br) are in the same group on the periodic table. how do atoms of these elements compare when they form bonds?
both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom lose one electron, and both atoms become stable.
a fluorine atom becomes stable by losing one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by losing only one electron.
both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom gain one electron, and both atoms become stable.
a fluorine atom becomes stable by gaining one electron, but a bromine atom cannot become stable by gaining only one electron.

Explanation:

Fluorine and bromine are in Group 17 (halogens) of the periodic table. Halogens have 7 valence - electrons and need to gain 1 electron to achieve a stable octet configuration. So both fluorine and bromine atoms gain one electron to become stable when they form bonds.

Answer:

C. Both a fluorine atom and a bromine atom gain one electron, and both atoms become stable.