Seven Diatomic Molecules: Is Dr. Brinclhof here?

What are diatomic molecules?

We know there are more than 100 elements in the Periodic Table.

Of these, there are seven (7) non-metal elements that exist as molecules made up of two atoms joined together. These are called “diatomic molecular elements”.

Diatomic Molecules in the Periodic Table

But, why are these special?

Simple. We never find a single atom of these seven on their own. They are twins and only stable when paired next to their twin, connected to form a molecule.

Another good one I heard – think of these as the hip-hop stars of the Periodic Table – the “Tupacs.” Get it?  😎 No? Just me, then? 😏

How do we display diatomic molecules?

As elements by themselves, meaning when they are not part of a compound, but are all by themselves, there always has to be a subscript 2 behind them. So for example, Oxygen is O₂ and Iodine is I_2.

List of 7 Diatomic Molecules

And 🥁 drumroll 🥁…the seven twins are:

1. iodine, I₂
2. bromine, Br₂
3. chlorine, Cl₂
4. fluorine, F₂
5. oxygen, O₂
6. nitrogen, N₂
7. hydrogen, H₂

Mnemonics:

Did I tell you that this is an important list? I like to use a few different mnemonics or memory tricks to remember these elements, including:

1. Brinclhof = Br(omium)~I(odine)~N(itrogen)~C(h)l(orine)~H(ydrogen)~O(xygen)~F(lourine)

My sister complains that the “Cl” is confusing for her (many call it Brinklehof, which may just be even more confusing, right?). I like it because it’s the easiest to remember.  Say it with me – Brinclhof, Brinclhof, Brinclhof….✨✨✨

2. There are many others related to beer (this is a FAMILY FRIENDLY blog!) and needy classes (a STEAM blog!) but this one may make your life easier:

I Have No Bright Or Clever Friends

SO not true! I have some amazingly bright and clever friends 👦 👧 🧑. Actually that’s what makes this easy to remember, because it’s not true at all!

So there you are – memorize your mnemonics or memorize the list and you’ve learnt an important little bit of chemistry!

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Aniruddha Pochimcherla

As a high school senior and co-founder of STEAMism and TimeforAI.com, Ani enjoys challenges and problem solving, technical subjects including Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Design, and collaborating with like-minded peers on events and hackathons. He has interned with the City of Austin, was a NASA High School Aerospace Scholar in 2019-2020 and is a Math tutor at Mathnasium. He has been blogging since 2nd grade and dabbles in web design and coding. He enjoys STEM subjects and teaching, so STEAMism is a great way for him to combine both.

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