Chlorine Facts & Worksheets

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Chlorine is a chemical element considered to be the second lightest member of the halogen elements of the periodic table of elements.

See the fact file below for more information about Chlorine or you can download our 35-page Chlorine worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

• Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and with atomic number 17.
• Chlorine is also known to be the 2nd lightest among the halogens (refer to a group of nonmetallic elements in the periodic table of elements that are highly reactive).
• Chlorine is a gas that appears to be yellow-green in color at room temperature.
• Chlorine is a highly reactive element and is also a strong oxidizing agent. 
• Chlorine has a relative atomic mass of 35.446 or 35.45.
• Chlorine has a melting point of 171.7 K and a boiling point of 239.11 K.
• Among the elements in the table, chlorine has the highest electron affinity and has the 3rd highest electronegativity (based on the revised Pauling Scale).

HISTORY

• Chlorine was first studied in 1744 by a Swedish chemist named Carl Wilhelm Scheele; he was also credited for this discovery.
  • Carl Wilhelm Scheele was a Swedish-German pharmaceutical chemist born on the 9th of December 1742.
• Scheele has observed several of the properties of chlorine, including the bleaching effect of chlorine on litmus, the deadly effect of chlorine on insects, and the smell of chlorine, which is similar to aqua regia (a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid).
• French chemist Claude Berthollet first used chlorine gas to bleach textiles in 1785. 
• In 1789, Berthollet produced Javal Water or  “Eau de Javel”. This liquid was a weak solution of sodium hypochlorite which was produced by passing chlorine gas through a solution of sodium carbonate.
• However, Berthollet was inefficient. This was followed by Scottish chemist Charles Tennant, who first produced a solution of calcium hypochlorite and then solid calcium hypochlorite (known as bleaching powder). 
• These compounds produce low levels of elemental chlorine and are transported more efficiently as compared to sodium hypochlorite. 
• In the late 19th century, E.S. Smith patented a method of producing sodium hypochlorite, which involves the electrolysis of brine in order to produce sodium hydroxide and chlorine gas; the mixture is then mixed to form sodium hypochlorite. This method is known as the chloralkali process. 
• The Chlor-alkali process was first used on an industrial scale in 1892.
• In the 1820s, elemental chlorine solutions, which are dissolved in sodium and calcium hypochlorite solution, were first used as anti-putrefaction agents and disinfectants. This was first done by French chemist and pharmacist Antoine-Germain Labarraque.
• On the 22nd of April 1915, chlorine gas was used as a weapon for the first time at the Second Battle of Ypres by the German Army. 

PROPERTIES

• The properties of chlorine are similar to that of fluorine, bromine, and iodine. Similar to other halogens, chlorine is one electron short of a full octet. Thus, it is a strong oxidizing agent which reacts with many elements to complete its outer shell. 
• In comparison to fluorine and bromine, chlorine is a weaker oxidizing agent than fluorine, but it is a stronger oxidizing agent than bromine. 

ISOTOPES

• Chlorine has two (2) isotopes that occur naturally and are stable – ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl.
• Other chlorine isotopes are radioactive and have half-lives too short to occur in nature primordially.

CHEMISTRY

• Chlorine has a significant chemistry in positive oxidation states as compared to fluorine which does not have.
• As compared to bromination and iodination, chlorination often leads to higher oxidation states. However, it leads to lower oxidation states as compared to fluorination.

Hydrogen Chloride

• Hydrogen chloride, or HCl, is the simplest known chlorine compound. This compound is a major industrial chemical as well as a laboratory chemical, both in gas form and in hydrochloric acid form (dissolved in water).
• Hydrogen chloride is often produced by burning hydrogen gas in chlorine gas. In addition, it can also be produced as a byproduct of chlorinating hydrocarbons.
• Hydrogen chloride, at room temperature, exists as a colorless and highly pungent gas. It has a boiling point of -85 degrees Celsius and a melting point of -114 degrees Celsius.
• Hydrogen chloride is widely used in industrial processes, including the production of vinyl chloride or PVC. It is also sometimes used in metal cleaning and processing.
• In laboratory settings, hydrogen chloride is used in chemical analysis and synthesis and as a reagent in various reactions, owing to its ability to form hydrochloric acid.
• Hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid are highly corrosive substances and can cause severe burns upon contact with the skin or eyes.
• Emissions of hydrogen chloride can contribute to the formation of acid rain and have potential negative effects on the environment.

Binary Chlorides

• Sodium chloride or NaCl, which is also known as common table salt, is a well-known binary compound formed by combining one sodium atom and one chlorine atom. It is widely used in cooking and food preservation, as well as in various industrial applications.
• Calcium chloride is a compound formed by combining one calcium atom and two chlorine atoms. Calcium chloride has various uses, including it being used as a drying agent and de-icing agent.
• Potassium Chloride (KCl) is a compound that contains one potassium atom and one chlorine atom. It is commonly used as a fertilizer.
• Phosphorus Trichloride and Phosphorus Pentachloride are compounds formed by combining phosphorus and chlorine atoms. They are important in organic synthesis and the production of various phosphorus-containing compounds.

Chlorine Fluorides

• The three (3) fluorides of chlorine form a subset of the interhalogen compounds (molecules that contain two or more different halogen atoms with no atoms of elements from other groups).
• Chlorine monofluoride, or ClF, is a volatile pale yellow gas at room temperature and pressure.
• Chlorine monofluoride is a highly reactive compound and is used as a fluorinating agent in organic chemistry. 
• Chlorine monofluoride reacts violently with water and can cause severe burns upon contact with the skin.
• Chlorine trifluoride is a volatile, colorless molecular liquid. Chlorine trifluoride can be produced by directly fluorinating gaseous chlorine.

Chlorine Oxides

• Chlorine oxides are a group of chemical compounds that contain both chlorine and oxygen atoms. The two most common chlorine oxides are chlorous acid and chloric acid.
• Chlorous acid is a yellowish-green liquid that is highly corrosive and unstable. It is used in small quantities as a bleaching agent in the production of paper and textiles, as well as in the manufacture of certain chemicals.
• Chloric acid is a colorless solid that is also highly corrosive and unstable. It is used in the production of certain chemicals, such as chlorates and perchlorates, which are used in explosives, rocket propellants, and bleaching agents.

APPLICATIONS

• Chlorine is a highly reactive and versatile chemical compound that has a wide range of uses in various industries. 
• Chlorine is widely used as a disinfectant to purify drinking water and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. It is also used to disinfect swimming pools, spas, and other recreational water facilities.
• Chlorine is used as a bleaching agent in the production of paper, textiles, and pulp. It is also used in the production of bleached flour, sugar, and starch.
• Chlorine is used to produce a wide range of chemicals, including plastics, solvents, and refrigerants. It is also used in the production of chlorinated lime (calcium hypochlorite), which is used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent.
• Chlorine is used in agriculture to produce chlorinated pesticides and herbicides. It is also used to produce chlorinated fertilizers, which are more stable and have longer shelf lives than their non-chlorinated counterparts.
• Chlorine is used in the production of certain pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics and anticancer drugs. It is also used to produce chlorinated intermediates that are used in the synthesis of other pharmaceuticals.
• Chlorine is used in the manufacturing of a wide range of products, including building materials, paints, adhesives, and sealants. It is also used in the production of aluminum and other metals through the Bayer process.
• Chlorine is used in environmental applications such as wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and soil remediation. It is also used to produce chlorinated compounds that are used in the destruction of chemical weapons and the decontamination of hazardous waste sites.

HAZARDS

• Chlorine is a highly reactive and toxic chemical compound that poses several hazards to human health and the environment. 
• Chlorine is a potent respiratory irritant and can cause severe respiratory distress, including coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, if inhaled. Prolonged exposure to chlorine can lead to lung damage and respiratory failure.
• Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent that can corrode and damage metal surfaces, including pipes, valves, and equipment. This can lead to leaks, ruptures, and explosions.
• Chlorine is a highly flammable gas that can ignite easily if exposed to heat or flame. 
• Chlorine is transported in large quantities by rail, truck, and ship. Accidents involving chlorine releases can result in serious health hazards for nearby communities due to the toxicity of the gas.

Chlorine Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Chlorine across 35 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Chlorine. Chlorine is a chemical element considered to be the second lightest member of the halogen elements of the periodic table of elements.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Chlorine Facts
2. C(hlorine)ode Breaker
3. Discovery Table
4. Unveiling The Message
5. Positive & Negative
6. Chlorine Challenge
7. Fill In The CL
8. Chlorine Quest
9. Unscramble It!
10. Household Detective
11. Complete The Task

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chlorine?

Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. It belongs to the halogen group of elements and is a highly reactive, greenish-yellow gas at room temperature.

What are the uses of chlorine?

Chlorine has numerous industrial and household applications. It’s commonly used in water treatment to disinfect and kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It’s also utilized in the production of various chemicals such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), pesticides, solvents, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, it’s employed in the manufacture of bleaching agents for textiles and paper products.

How is chlorine produced?

Chlorine is primarily produced through the electrolysis of brine (sodium chloride solution) in a process known as the chlor-alkali process. In this process, a direct electric current is passed through the brine, causing the chloride ions to migrate to the anode, where chlorine gas is produced. Meanwhile, sodium ions migrate to the cathode, where sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is generated as a byproduct.

What are the health effects of chlorine exposure?

Exposure to chlorine gas can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and even pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs). In higher concentrations, it can cause severe respiratory distress and even be fatal. Chlorine exposure to the skin and eyes can result in irritation, burning sensations, and redness.

How is chlorine handled safely?

To handle chlorine safely, proper precautions must be taken. This includes ensuring adequate ventilation in areas where chlorine is used or stored to prevent the buildup of gas concentrations. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators, goggles, and gloves should be worn when working with chlorine. Additionally, facilities should have emergency response plans in place and employees should be trained in handling chlorine safely and responding to accidents or leaks.

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Link will appear as Chlorine Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 6, 2024