Bromine

(bro'min.) [From Gr. brômos, an offensive odor.) (Chem.) A non-metallic element. It is a liquid ofa deep red-brown color, very volatile, and of a peculiar irritating odor. It solidifies at 7.6°, forming a hard, brittle ma of a lead-gray semi-metallic appearance. It is slightly soluble in water, and miscible with ether in all proportions. It closely resembles chlorine in its properties. Its chemical energies are very powerful. Boiling point; 136°; sp. gr. 5-411; at. weight, 80; symbol, Br.-B. unites with all elementary bodies, forming well-marked compounds, or bromides, and several oxygen compounds, the most important of which is Bromic acid (HO.Bros), which unites with bases forming bro mates. The pp. compound of B. is the hydrogen compound, or Hydrobromic acid (HBr), which is a colorle gas, having a very pungent odor. It is eagerly absorbed by water, forming a strongly acid solution which fumes in the air. [s. 118]