What is the exact and precise meaning of 'diatomic molecule' in the case of Halogens like Flourine & Chlorine?

Answer 1

Diaomic molecules as in the case of halogens means that they exist as double atoms for them to form a molecule by sharing their outermost energy level thus forming a simple molecular structure.

Answer 2

The prefix "di" means 2, "atomic molecule" is the flourine or chlorine molecule, So "diatomic molecule" means 2 molecules, which is why the Halogens form F2, Cl2, I2 ect.....

Answer 3

Diatomic molecules are molecules formed of two atoms, of the same or different chemical elements. The prefix di- means two in Greek. Diatomic elements are those that almost exclusively exist as diatomic molecules, known as homonuclear diatomic molecules in their natural elemental state when they are not chemically bonded with other elements. Examples include H2 and O2. Earth's atmosphere is composed almost completely (99%) of diatomic molecules which are oxygen (O2) (21%) and nitrogen (N2) (78%). The remaining 1% is predominantly argon (0.9340%)

Oxygen can also exist as the triatomic molecule ozone (O3), for example in the ozone layer.

The diatomic elements are hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and the halogens: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. Astatine is so rare in nature (its most stable isotope has a half-life of only 8.1 hours) that it is usually not considered. Many metals are also diatomic when in their gaseous states.

The bond in a homonuclear diatomic molecule is non polar and fully covalent. Examples of heteronuclear diatomic molecules include carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO).

Other elements exist which form diatomic molecules but with high instability and reactivity. An example is diphosphorus....

Answer 4

Dont forget that halogens aren't the only molecules that are diatomic. Hydrogen is also found as a diatomic, "H2" as well as nitrogen and oxygen. Then the halogens, F, Cl, Br, I.

Answer 5

Diatomic means "two atoms", and most of the non-inert gases come that way in their natural/stable form. All the halogens, as well as Oxygen, Sulfur, and Hydrogen are diatomic molecules.

Answer 6

It means that the molecules, in there atomic state (state in which they are found naturally), are always found as two atoms bound together. For example, Fluorine is found as F2. Chlorine is found as Cl2. Magnesium metal is not diatomic, and is found naturally as just Mg.

Answer 7

Diatomic molecules can not function by themselves. They can be paired with other molecules if needed, but if they are alone there must be two of them. For example you cannot have just Cl, it must be Cl*2.

Answer 8

Just what the word says: di (two) atomic (element). In terms of orbitals, the atoms can hybidize to sp3 orbitals. Three of these are filled, the last one has one electron. The atoms each contribute one electron to the half-filled orbital.
In fact, halogens can form "cross compounds" such as BrCl.