Chlorine

What is chlorine?

Chlorine is a chemical element. The symbol of chlorine is (Cl). It is the second lightest member of all the halogen elements. It is from group 7a. It is found between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table. It was discovered in 1774 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele but he failed to recognize it1q as an element. In 1810 English chemist Humphry Davy recognized the true nature of the gas as an element, named it chlorine, and provided an explanation for its bleaching action.  Chlorine is derived from the Greek “chloros” meaning greenish yellow. Chlorine is manufactured by electrolysis of seawater.

Chemical data of Cl

The atomic number of chlorine is 17

Its atomic weight is 35.446 to 35.457

The melting point of Cl is -103°C

The density of chlorine (1 atm, 0°C or 32°F) is 3.214 grams per liter

Properties of Chlorine gas

Physical properties

• The color of chlorine gas is greenish yellow at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
• Chlorine is two times heavier than air
• It has the ability to become liquid at -34°C.
• It is slightly water soluble
• It has a strong odor

Chemical properties

• Chlorine has high electronegativity
• It also has a high electron affinity
• Chlorine reacts with moisture to form hypochlorous and hydrochloric acid.

Uses of Cl

• Chlorine is used to disinfect water
• It is used for the sanitation process of sewage and industrial waste.
• It is also  used during the production of paper, cloth, chlorides, chlorinated solvents, etc
• It is used as a bleaching agent.
• It is used to prepare silicon tetrachloride and methyl chloride
• It was used as a weapon in world war I because chlorine gas is itself a very poisonous gas.

Hazards

• It has a choking smell that causes suffocation if inhaled,
• The chest is constricted, and there is tightness of threat if inhaled wearing safety masks are recommended.
• Severe exposure to chlorine causes edema which has many chances to cause death
• Chlorine gas is toxic.