(a) The measured bond length in bismuth tribromide, BiBr3, is 2.63 Å. Based on this...

(a) The measured bond length in bismuth tribromide, BiBr₃, is 2.63 Å. Based on this value and the data in Figure 7.7, predict the atomic radius of Bi. (b) Bismuth tribromide is soluble in acidic solution. It is formed by treating solid bismuth(III) oxide with aqueous hydrobromic acid. Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction. (c) While bismuth( III) oxide is soluble in acidic solutions, it is insoluble in basic solutions such as NaOH(aq). Based on these properties, is bismuth characterized as a metallic, metalloid, or nonmetallic element? (d) Treating bismuth with fluorine gas forms BiF₅. Use the electron configuration of Bi to explain the formation of a compound with this formulation. (e) While it is possible to form BiF₅ in the manner just described, pentahalides of bismuth are not known for the other halogens. Explain why the pentahalide might form with fluorine but not with the other halogens. How does the behavior of bismuth relate to the fact that xenon reacts with fluorine to form compounds but not with the other halogens?

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