Chlorine is a gaseous element with the symbolCl.Chlorine was discovered by Scheele in 1774, who named it dephlogisticated marine acid. It was afterwards proved by Davy to be a simple body, and from its peculiar yellowish-green colour the appellation of chlorine (from the Greek chloros, yellowish-green) was given to it.
Chlorine occurs in nature in combination chiefly with sodium as common salt, from which it is liberated by the action of sulphuric acid and manganese dioxide. Chlorine is very active, uniting with more or less vigour with most elements to form chlorides. It unites quietly with hydrogen in dull light, and explosively in bright light or when the mixture is ignited.
Chlorine is a very heavy gas, being about two and a half times as heavy as ordinary air; it has a peculiar smell, and irritates the nostrils most violently when inhaled, as also the windpipe and lungs. It exercises a corrosive action upon organic tissues. It is not combustible, though it supports the combustion of many bodies, and, indeed, spontaneously burns several. In combination with other elements it forms chlorides, which act most important parts in many manufacturing processes. This gas may be liquefied by cold and pressure, when it becomes a transparent, greenish-yellow, limpid liquid. Chlorine is one of the most powerful bleaching agents, this property belonging to it through its strong affinity for hydrogen. Hence in the manufacture of bleaching-powder (chloride of lime) it is used in immense quantities. When applied to moistened coloured fabrics it acts by decomposing the moisture present, the oxygen of which then destroys the colouring matter of the cloth, etc. It is a valuable disinfectant where it can be conveniently applied, as in the form of chloride of lime. Research Chlorine
Abbreviations
SciTech
Research Chlorine