Question

What will be the product(s) of the following reaction: `Cs +Br_2 rightleftharpoons ?`?

Answer 1

The balanced equation is `2Cs+Br_2 rightleftharpoons 2CsBr`

Explanation:

Or, if you prefer the ionic form

`2Cs+Br_2 rightleftharpoons 2Cs^+ + 2Br^-`

(However, I do not believe this is truly an equilibnrium system, but a reaction that runs essentially to completion.)

Since cesium (like other alkali metals) has a single valence electron, it is very prone to being oxidized into its +1 ion form.

Bromine, like other halogens is a strong oxidizing agent and has a great tendency to acquitre electrons from chemicals it contacts.

Here, each Cs atom donates one electron to a Br atom, with the result that an ionic compound, CsBr is formed. The ion charges are +1 `(Cs^+)` and -1 `(Br^-)`