
Chlorine element (Cl) is in group 17 and period 3 of a periodic table. Chlorine is in the p-block and it is classified as a halogen group element on the periodic table.
There is a lot more information related to chlorine which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.
So let’s dive right into it!
Table of contents
- Chlorine element (Information Table)
- Chlorine element in Periodic table
- Facts about Chlorine
- Properties of Chlorine
- Uses of Chlorine
Chlorine Element (Information Table)
The important data related to chlorine element is given in the table below.
Appearance of chlorine | Pale yellow-green gas |
Atomic number of chlorine | 17 |
Symbol of chlorine | Cl |
Atomic mass of chlorine | 35.45 u |
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in chlorine | Protons: 17, Neutrons: 18, Electrons: 17 |
State of chlorine (at STP) | Gas |
Group number of chlorine in periodic table | 17 |
Period number of chlorine in periodic table | 3 |
Block of chlorine in periodic table | p-block |
Category of chlorine | Nonmetals (halogens) |
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in chlorine | 2, 8, 7 |
Electron configuration of chlorine | [Ne] 3s2 3p5 |
Orbital diagram of chlorine | ![]() |
Valence electrons in chlorine | 7 |
Electronegativity of chlorine (on pauling scale) | 3.16 |
Atomic radius of chlorine (van der Waals radius) | 175 picometers |
Density of chlorine | 3.214 g/L |
1st ionization energy of chlorine | 12.968 eV |
Main isotope of chlorine | 35Cl and 37Cl |
Melting point of chlorine (Cl2) | 171.6 K or -101.5 °C or -105.7 °F |
Boiling point of chlorine (Cl2) | 239.11 K or -34.04 °C or -29.27 °F |
Crystal structure of chlorine | Orthorhombic |
Discovery of chlorine | By Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1774 |
Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).
Chlorine element in Periodic table
The Chlorine element (Cl) has the atomic number 17 and is located in group 17 and period 3. Chlorine is a nonmetal and it is classified as a halogen element.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about chlorine
Here are a few interesting facts about chlorine element.
- The chlorine element is given its name from the Greek word “khloros” which means “greenish-yellow” (which is the appearance of the chlorine gas).
- Chlorine is the 3rd most abundant element present in the ocean.
- Chlorine is the 21st most abundant element present in the earth’s crust.
- Sea water has a very large amount of chlorine (present in NaCl in seawater).
- Chlorine is also present in the human body.
- The chlorine always exists as a diatomic molecule (i.e Cl2).
- We intake chlorine from food (i.e table salt (NaCl)). Inhaling a pure chlorine gas is toxic for the human body.
Properties of chlorine
Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of chlorine.
Physical properties of chlorine
- Chlorine gas has a pale yellow-green color appearance.
- Chlorine gas has a strong smell.
- The atomic mass of chlorine is 35.45 u and its density is 3.214 g/L.
- The melting point and boiling point of chlorine (Cl2) is 171.6 K and 239.11 K respectively.
Chemical properties of chlorine
- Chlorine shows chemical reaction with many elements because it has higher electronegativity and high electron affinity.
- Chlorine is a reactive nonmetal and hence it is always found with other compounds.
- Chlorine does not show any reaction with lighter noble gases, because the noble gases are chemically inert.
- Chlorine forms a white mist when it reacts with ammonia (NH3).
- Chlorine gas is liberated on electrolysis of salt water.
- Chlorine is a nonflammable gas and it is non explosive in nature.
- Chlorine is also added to drinking water to kill bacteria and microorganisms.
Uses of chlorine
Here are some uses of the chlorine element.
- Chlorine was once used as a chemical weapon which can burn the skin.
- Chlorine is also used in manufacturing of medicines, disinfectants as well as insecticides.
- The paper industries, plastic industries as well as dyes industries also used chlorine.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a polymer that has chlorine in it.
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