How was halogen bromine used to protect swimming pools?Halogen bromine (atomic number: 35, atomic weight: 79.9) is the only non-metallic element whose state is liquid at room temperature. Bromine, initially produced by Carl Lowig, was not associated with him as, although he was believed to have been the first to create the element, his student life took priority giving Antoine-Jérôme Balard another chemist, enough time to discover bromine on his own and publish an article in 1826 discussing his findings. It was Balard who was credited with the discovery and who named the chemical Bromos, "stink" in Greek. The reddish-brown element (which also gives a very strong odor not unlike that of chlorine) is obtained from sea water and some brine mixtures – residues from the production of potassium salts. This process of obtaining bromine begins when bromine in water is oxidized by chlorine - above the boiling point of bromine - to create bromine gas or Br2.2Br + Cl2 → Br2 + 2Cl ( ) This produces a mixture of bromine and chlorine gas, separating as the mixture cools to the point where the bromine liquefies but the chlorine (still above its boiling point) remains as gas. If additional purification is required, bromine gas can be mixed with sulfur dioxide. Then, after passing it through a cylinder (with flowing water falling in the opposite direction) both gases react with the water to produce hydrobromic acids and sulfuric acids.SO2+ Br2 + H2O → 2HBr+ H2SO4 ( )A The use Bromine's main focus is in pharmaceutical engineering. Brominated substances are key components of many over-the-counter medications as well as prescription medications. These include various sedatives and antihistamines (a form of pro...... middle of paper ......014. Web. 8 February 2014. "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 2 March 2014. Web. 8 February 2014. “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.” Wikipedia Np, nd Web 2 February 2014. “Substances that reduce ozone." EPA, nd Web. 06 February 2014. "Podcast |. 2014. .