Question

What are the eight diatomic elements?

Answer 1

Hint: Diatomic molecules are composed of only two atoms. The atom can be of the same or different chemical element. Here, it is asked to find the eight diatomic elements. The diatomic elements are those elements which are present only in diatomic form in nature.

Complete answer:
The term “diatomic” consists of the prefix di- is of Greek origin which means “two”. The diatomic molecules are those which are composed of only atoms either of the same or different chemical elements. If the diatomic molecule consists of the same element, then it is called homonuclear diatomic molecules. Example – hydrogen $$(H_2)$$ , nitrogen $$(N_2)$$ etc.
Whereas, if the diatomic molecule consists of two different atoms, then it is called heteronuclear diatomic molecules. Example- Carbon monoxide $$(CO)$$ , Nitric oxide $$(NO)$$ etc.
Diatomic elements are those elements which are found as diatomic molecules in nature.
There are mainly seven diatomic molecules as follows:
Element $$1$$ - Hydrogen $$(H_2)$$
Element $$7$$ - Nitrogen $$(N_2)$$
Element $$8$$ - Oxygen $$(O_2)$$
Element $$9$$ - Fluorine $$(F_2)$$
Element $$17$$ - Chlorine $$(C{l}_2)$$
Element $$35$$ -Bromine $$(B{r}_2)$$
Element $$53$$ - Iodine $$(I_2)$$
Element $$85$$ - Astatine $$(At)$$ and Element $$117$$ - Tennessine $$(Ts)$$ are present in the halogen group and may form diatomic molecules. While only the above seven elements can form diatomic molecules. However the diatomic molecules formed by other elements are very unstable, their bond can easily be broken.

Note:
The bond in a homonuclear diatomic molecule is non- polar whereas the bond is polar in case of heteronuclear diatomic molecules. You can remember these main seven diatomic elements in a sentence form “Never Have Fear Of Ice Cold Beer” as a representation of Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Fluorine, Oxygen, Iodine, Chlorine, Bromine.