Chlorine

What is chlorine?

Pure chlorine in gas form

Chlorine is a very disgusting element... but not really. I am only calling it disgusting because when in pure gas form, it looks a lot like urine. It has the same greenish yellow color- yuck. Chlorine is often made from organic chemistry reactions, but is also found free in nature when combined with other elements, mainly sodium and carnallite. It is known to be very irritating. When at a high pressure point, it turns red.

What is chlorine used for?
Chlorine is used for many things, it's main use being disinfection of drinking water. It is also used in the production of:

• Textiles
• Papers
• Dyes
• Petroleum Products
• Medicines
• Disinfectants
• Foods
• Plastics
• Paints

And many other things too.... the list goes on. Chlorine was also used as a chemical warfare agent, and chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon during World War I. Chlorine, being heavier than air, would form a deadly layer over foxholes and trenches. Also, chlorine leaks in containers were found using ammonia. When the ammonia gas found the leak, the chlorine and ammonia gas would mix, creating a whitish mist.

Chlorine is also used in many bleach products.