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Chlorine: Difference between revisions
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'''Chlorine''' is a [[chemical element]] that has the atomic number 17, and the symbol Cl. There is an abundance of chlorine in nature since it is found in common salt as one of the two elements making up sodium chloride. When chlorine is in the form of a gas, its color becomes greenish yellow, and its weight is more than twice that of air. Chlorine gas has a suffocating odor and is very poisonous to every living thing. It is perhaps best known for its powerful disinfecting activity.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine] | '''Chlorine''' is a [[chemical element]] that has the atomic number 17, and the symbol Cl. There is an abundance of chlorine in nature since it is found in common [[salt]] as one of the two elements making up [[sodium chloride]]. When chlorine is in the form of a gas, its color becomes greenish yellow, and its weight is more than twice that of air. Chlorine gas has a suffocating odor and is very poisonous to every living thing. It is perhaps best known for its powerful disinfecting activity.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine] | ||
==Properties== | ==Properties== | ||
Chlorine is usually found combined in nature because of its reactivity, as a gas each molecule has two atoms of chlorine. It is prepared commercially by passing electricity through a water solution of sodium chloride or through molten sodium chloride. Since sodium is very desirable for making washing soda, Chlorine was available in large quantities cheaply, and its chemistry was thoroughly explored. Chlorine gases are made up of diatomic molecules, as the formula Cl<sub>2</sub>. The gas can be smelled in the air at 3 parts per million(ppm), and is irritating to the nose, mouth, and lungs. It causes throat irritation at 15 ppm, coughing at 30 ppm, and causes deadly effects after a few deep breaths at 1,000 ppm. | Chlorine is usually found combined in nature because of its reactivity, as a gas each molecule has two atoms of chlorine. It is prepared commercially by passing electricity through a water solution of sodium chloride or through molten sodium chloride. Since sodium is very desirable for making washing soda, Chlorine was available in large quantities cheaply, and its chemistry was thoroughly explored. Chlorine gases are made up of diatomic molecules, as the formula Cl<sub>2</sub>. The gas can be smelled in the air at 3 parts per million(ppm), and is irritating to the nose, mouth, and lungs. It causes throat irritation at 15 ppm, coughing at 30 ppm, and causes deadly effects after a few deep breaths at 1,000 ppm. | ||
Chlorine gas is easy to dissolve in water, and chemical reactions occur that produce hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), plus some unreacted Cl<sub>2</sub>. This is called chlorine water and it is used to kill [[germs]] in water or to bleach papers and fabrics. | Chlorine gas is easy to dissolve in [[water]], and chemical reactions occur that produce [[hydrochloric acid]] (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), plus some unreacted Cl<sub>2</sub>. This is called chlorine water and it is used to kill [[germs]] in water or to bleach papers and fabrics. | ||
Chlorinated hydrocarbons have had some of their hydrogen atoms replaced by chlorine atoms. A variety of chlorinated hydrocarbons have been used as [[insecticides]]. One of the earliest to be used was DDT, dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane. However, it caused serious environmental problems, and it is not used as much as before in the [[United States]]. | Chlorinated hydrocarbons have had some of their hydrogen atoms replaced by chlorine atoms. A variety of chlorinated hydrocarbons have been used as [[insecticides]]. One of the earliest to be used was DDT, dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane. However, it caused serious environmental problems, and it is not used as much as before in the [[United States]]. | ||
