Explain why, going down Group VII, the melting point and boiling point of the element increases.

Group VII elements exist as diatomic molecules with simple molecular structure.

Going down Group VII, the molecular mass of the element increases.

An increasing molecular mass results in increasing intermolecular force of attraction.

The higher the intermolecular force of attraction, the higher the energy needed to break these bonds, hence higher melting point and boiling point.