Question

Astatine is the element below iodine in the group VIIA of the periodic table. Which of the following statements is not true for astatine?
A. It is less electronegative than iodine
B. It will exhibit only -1 oxidation state
C. Intermolecular forces between the astatine molecules will be larger than between iodine molecules
D. It is composed of diatomic molecules

Answer 1

Astatine is the element belonging to p-block and group VIIA. It is a radioactive element. All group VII A elements are non-radioactive elements except Astatine. Astatine is the element present below the iodine in group VII A.

Complete step by step answer:
- We have to find which option is incorrect among the given options related to astatine.
- We know that as we are moving top to bottom in the periodic table electronegativity of the elements decreases. Therefore, Astatine has less electronegativity.
- So, option A is correct.
- All the halogens (group VII A) exhibit ‘-1’ oxidation state. But chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine exhibit +1, +3, +5, and +7 oxidation states due to the presence of vacant d-orbitals.
- So, option B is wrong.
- Coming to option C, Intermolecular forces between the astatine molecules will be larger than between iodine molecules. Yes it is correct because as we are moving down to the group the atomic size increases and intermolecular forces increases.
- Coming to option D, It is composed of diatomic molecules. Yes it is also correct because the entire group VII A elements exist as diatomic molecules.

So, the wrong statement related to astatine is B.

Note: The chemical symbol to represent astatine is At. The atomic number of astatine is 85 and it occurs rarely in the earth crust. Astatine is a radioactive element and has a short-lived isotope astatine-210 has a half-life of 8.1 hr.